Inspired by Vietnam – Aubergine Buns with Veggie Pickles and Spiced Mayo

Serves: 4 as a starter

Prep: 1 hour

Cook: 15 mins

Ingredients: For the pickles; large handful of radishes grated, 1 large carrot grated, 1 large cucumber grated, 100ml of rice wine vinegar, 100ml of water, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. sugar, 1 large or a few small jars.

For the spicy mayo; 2 tbsps. of mayo, 1 tsp. of jalepeano peppers (more if you like it really spicy), 1 grated thumb sized piece of ginger

For the buns; 1 large aubergine, olive oil, 4 brioche buns, small bunch of coriander, 1 lemon, 1/2 tsp of cinnamon.

Method

1. First make your pickles, (these can be made a few days ahead), by layering the grated vegetables into sterilised jars
2. In a pan add the rice wine vinegar, water and sugar and salt
3. Bring to the bowl then pour into the jars and put the lids on straight away
4. Allow to cool and store in the fridge
5. For the mayo just mix all of your ingredients together and set aside in the fridge until ready to use, again can be made in advanced as long as in air tight container
6. When ready to make your rolls, slice your aubergine into thin slices and leave on a plate covered with kitchen paper for one hour
7. Pre-heat your grill, lay your aubergine out on a baking tray and drizzle with oil cook for 6 mins each side, but keep an eye on them so they don’t burn
8. To serve, cut your brioche buns down the middle add a layer of the spicy mayo, then the auberinge, topping with the pickled veg, fresh coriander, a sprinkle of cinnamon and a lemon wedge
9. Enjoy!

NB. If you have any pickles left over keep them in the fridge, they should be good for a couple of weeks.

Save The Children have been working in Vietnam since 1990, their work includes improving the healthcare system, education and have also been working on programmes to ensure children under five have access to nutritious food as many grow up stunted.  To support Vietnam’s large textile industry, many children are working for 17 hours a day for little pay, Save The Children are working with local authorities to monitor the textile industry and to look for alternatives to child labor.  To find out more about this and the other work Save The Children carry out here, please click on the link below:

https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/where-we-work/asia/vietnam

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