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Berenjenas con miel de caña
Andalusian crispy fried aubergine with cane molasses
Berenjenas con miel are a classic tapa in Andalusia, especially in Córdoba, Málaga and Granada: thin batons or slices of aubergine, lightly floured and fried until crisp, then drizzled with dark, treacly miel de caña. Despite the name, miel de caña is not bee honey but sugarcane molasses, made in the last cane mill in Europe at Frigiliana on the Málaga coast, so the dish is naturally vegan. The contrast of salty, crunchy aubergine and bittersweet syrup is irresistible; serve it the moment it leaves the pan with a cold drink. Chef's tip: soak the aubergine in salted water (or milk, as many Andalusian cooks do) for 15 minutes and pat dry; it seasons the flesh, softens any bitterness and helps the flour cling so the coating stays thin and crisp.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Stir 1 tbsp salt into 4 ¼ cups cold water and add 1 aubergine. Put a plate on top to keep it under and leave for 15 minutes.
15 minStep 2: Drain the aubergine and pat it dry with a tea towel; it should be damp but not dripping.
Step 3: Heat 2 cups olive oil in a deep frying pan to 350°F (a cube of bread browns in 30 seconds). Meanwhile toss the aubergine in 3 ½ oz plain flour in batches, shaking off the excess in a sieve. The coating should be a thin dusting, not a crust.
3 minStep 4: Fry in 3 or 4 batches for 2–3 minutes, turning once, until golden and crisp. Crowding the pan cools the oil and makes them greasy.
8 minStep 5: Drain on kitchen paper and sprinkle at once with ½ tsp flaky sea salt.
Step 6: Pile onto a plate, drizzle with 3 tbsp cane molasses (miel de caña) in thin threads and serve immediately, while still crunchy.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 250 kcal
- Protein
- 3 g
- Carbs
- 30 g
- Fat
- 14 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does berenjenas con miel de caña take?
- About 30 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- What can I use instead of plain flour?
- Self-raising flour, same amount (then leave out the baking powder).
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