Caponata

Directions

  1. 1Partially peel the aubergine and cut it into cubes.
  2. 2Salt the cubed aubergine generously and set aside to brine.
  3. 3Chop celery.
  4. 4Chop onion.
  5. 5Shallow fry the aubergine until golden.
  6. 6Drain the excess oil from the fried aubergine and place them on paper towels.
  7. 7In the same pan, cook down the onion and celery.
  8. 8Salt the onion and celery mixture.
  9. 9Cut the courgette into cubes and add to the pan.
  10. 10Cut the tomatoes and peppers, then add them to the pan.
  11. 11Add sliced garlic to the pan.
  12. 12Pour in tinned tomatoes.
  13. 13Add the drained fried aubergine back into the pan and mix.
  14. 14Wash off salted capers and add them to the stew.
  15. 15Slightly crush green olives and add them to the stew.
  16. 16Toast pine nuts until golden.
  17. 17Prepare agrodolce by combining red wine vinegar, peppercorns, and sugar, then heat until sugar dissolves.
  18. 18Add the agrodolce to the stew.
  19. 19Stir in fresh basil.
  20. 20Add the toasted pine nuts to the caponata.
  21. 21Pan-fry chicken breast until golden and cooked through.
  22. 22Boil potatoes.
  23. 23Serve the caponata with chicken breast and potatoes, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with salt.

Ingredients

  • Aubergine
  • Maldon sea salt flakes
  • Celery
  • Onion
  • Courgette
  • Tomatoes
  • Peppers
  • Garlic
  • Tinned tomatoes
  • Salted capers
  • Green olives
  • Pine nuts
  • Red wine vinegar
  • Peppercorns
  • Sugar
  • Basil
  • Chicken breast
  • Potatoes
  • Olive oil

Equipment

Cutting boardKnifeLarge bowlFrying panColanderPaper towelsSmall pot

Tips

  • The dish improves in flavour over days.
  • Adding some raw celery just before serving can provide a vegetal crunch.