Tag: Aubergine

Mediterranean Chutney


Pretty much every year, Gerry and I make a couple of batches of Mediterranean Chutney.

Today, earlier than usual, I started our first batch of the year, which will make 6 to 8 Kilner jars of this delicious gloop.

Preparation Complete

This chutney goes down so well that I will have to do at least another batch to cope with the freebies that will be handed out to friends and family.

Cooking almost complete

This spicy chutney made with tomatoes, courgettes,  aubergines, onions, and peppers is good to eat with cheese, steak, chicken, well just about everything.

The Finished Product

And so we have eight and half jars of chutney. Unfortunately, there is a huge question mark over the quality of this batch.

Just after adding the sugar and vinegar for the final hour of cooking, we were subjected to a power outage. I had the jars in the electric oven to sterilise. The power was off for around 45 minutes, which meant that I had to restart the sterilising. During this time, the chutney caught on the bottom of the pan. I’m hoping that the flavour of the chutney has not been spoiled.

Time will tell. All being well, the chutney will be ready to eat in a couple of months.

Aubergine – Bangladeshi & Indian Cuisine Restaurant


Last evening we popped down to see how my daughter and her husbands new venture was progressing. They have just opened Glam & Glitz Boutique in Albert Road, Southsea. Since it was near closing time we all decided to go out for a meal. Albert Road is a great place to go if you are hungry. There are eateries catering for just about every taste imaginable.

We chose to try Aubergine, a small Bangladeshi and Indian Cuisine restaurant. aubergineWhat a good decision that was. There were six of us and we hadn’t booked. This didn’t phase them and very quickly they shuffled some tables and chairs and we were quickly seated.

I ordered a starter, “Luck Now Ke Seek Kebab” described as “Minced lamb with chefs own spices, coriander, cheese, moulded on to skewers” which was quite tasty. This I followed with “Juicy Gosht” which was effectively a lamb shank in a spicy sauce. My description is probably doing it a disservice but it is not on the internet version of their menu so I couldn’t plagiarise their description. However, it really was juicy and the meat was oh so tender. This was the star of the evening, and, ably supported by  Pilau Rice and Bhindi Bhajee was a meal fit for a king.

Two of our family group kicked off with the the mandatory “Onion Bhajee” and two more decided to try the “Tandoori Champan”, which comprised “Tender of lamb chops marinated with fresh garlic, ginger and other spices”. For their mains two brave souls, including my wife, went for the Lamb Jalfrazi.

All agreed that the service was good, the staff friendly despite my introducing confusion by ordering a refill beer brand that they didn’t sell.

I would say that Aubergine stands out as one of the good restaurants in the area and I heartily recommend a visit. I for one will certainly be going back.