Stuffed Aubergines on Tomato Sauce Tagliatelle

Say you need to impress the future in-laws with your cooking skills.

"My what?" "I don't have those."

Of course you do. Or at least you can pretend that you do. *Cue sneaky smile.* Trust me on this one, when you place this dish in front of the in-laws they'll think you're the next Nigella. Or Jamie. Or {insert name of your favourite celebrity chef here}. Even though you just mixed a few things together out of some packets and tins. Your secret's safe with me. Leaving you free to go forth and multiply schmooze.  

Oh! And don't forget to buy a bottle of good wine. It tends to smooth over those awkward moments. Another one you can trust me on.

Stuffed Aubergines on Fresh Tomato Tagliatelle

Serves 4

2 medium aubergines

salt & pepper to taste

150g low fat chunky cottage cheese
3 tbsp red pepper chutney

10 almonds, chopped
250g fresh tagliatelle

1/2 cup tinned italian tomatoes, chopped

2 tbsp tomato paste

fresh coriander or parsley, chopped (optional)

1. Cut aubergine in half, salt lightly and steam in a bamboo or conventional steamer until soft. Scoop the inner flesh out, leaving a rim around the edges in tact. 

2. Mix the scooped out aubergine flesh with cottage cheese and chutney, season to taste and scoop back into the aubergine shells. 

3. Place aubergine halves on a baking tray and grill in the oven for 5 - 10 minutes or until golden brown. 

4. Meanwhile, cook the tagliatelle until al dente (5 - 7 minutes). Warm tinned tomatoes in a small pan and mix with tomato paste. Drain the pasta, then toss with the tomato sauce.

5. Divide the pasta between two serving plates, place half an aubergine on top of each serving of pasta and scatter with herbs.

Serve immediately.

Nutritional info (per serving): Calories 376.9 , Total fat 5.1 g, Saturated fat 1.4 g, Polyunsaturated fat 1.1 g, Monounsaturated fat 1.8 g, Cholesterol 3.0 mg, Sodium 261.0 mg, Potassium 788.5 mg, Total carbohydrate 66.2 g, Dietary fiber 9.5 g, Sugars 6.4 g, Protein 17.9 g

Good source of: Manganese 24.0 %, Folate 15.3 % Vitamin B6 15.3 %