Recipe: Ripe Deli's Greek Eggplant, Lamb and Feta

Lamb, eggplant, cherry tomato, goat's cheese, rocket... Photo / Sally Greer and Beatnik Publishing

This gorgeous recipe - created by Ripe Deli's talented head chef Pip Wylie - is perfect for a special lunch with friends or an evening meal. Enjoy!

Serves 6 to 8

• ½ cup (100g) puy lentils
• 400g lamb loin fillet, trimmed
• 2 tbsp sumac
• 2 red chillies, deseeded, finely chopped
• ½ tsp salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ cup (60ml) olive oil
• 2 (600g) eggplants, sliced into 2cm thick rounds
• 1 red onion, peeled, halved, finely sliced
• 250g cherry tomatoes, halved
• ½ cup (20g) fresh Italian parsley, roughly chopped
• ½ cup (20g) fresh mint leaves
• ½ cup sweet mustard vinegar dressing
• 2 cup (80g) rocket
• 100g soft goat's cheese, rolled into small balls

Marinade

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary leaves, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, peeled, finely chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• freshly ground black pepper

1. Preheat oven to 180 C.

2. Grease and line a baking tray.

3. Cook the lentils.

4. To prepare the marinade: Into a small bowl, place all the ingredients and mix well. Add the lamb and turn to coat. Cover with cling film and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

5. In a large bowl, place the sumac, chillies, salt, pepper and olive oil, mix well. Add the eggplant and toss well to coat the eggplant.

6. Transfer to the prepared tray. Bake for approximately 20-30 minutes or until golden. Remove from the oven and set aside.

7. Place a large frying pan over a high heat with a dash of olive oil. When hot, add the lamb and marinade. Sear the fillets for 1 minute on each side. Reduce the heat and cook for a further 3-5 minutes, depending on whether you like your lamb rare to medium.

8. Remove from the heat and allow the lamb to rest for at least 10 minutes.

9. Place the lamb on a chopping board, slice very thinly and set aside.

10. In a large bowl, place the cooked lentils, eggplant, onion, cherry tomatoes, Italian parsley and mint. Add half the dressing and toss to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

11. On a large serving platter, layer the salad starting with the rocket, then lentil eggplant mix, lamb and goats cheese.

12. Drizzle over the remaining dressing and serve.

This recipe was first published in Ripe Deli owner and chef Angela Redfern's new cookbook Ripe Recipes - A Fresh Batch (Beatnik Publishing, 2013).

Get more info on Ripe Deli here, or drop by 172 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn.

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