Jamie Oliver’s Sticky Aubergine Noodles Recipe offers a delightful fusion of flavors and textures, combining tender aubergine pieces with a sweet and spicy chili sauce, all tossed with hearty udon noodles and topped with crunchy peanuts. This quick and easy dish, prepared using an air fryer, is perfect for those seeking a satisfying vegetarian meal that doesn’t compromise on taste. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s an excellent choice for busy weeknights or leisurely weekends.
Sticky Aubergine Noodles Recipe by Jamie Oliver
Ingredients
- 1 aubergine (250g)
- 1 clove of garlic
- 1 pak choi
- 1 tbsp unsalted roasted peanuts
- 1 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
- 150g straight-to-wok thick udon noodles
- 4 spring onions
- ½ a fresh red chilli
- ½ a little gem lettuce
- 2 sprigs of mint or coriander
- 1 tbsp crunchy peanut & sesame chilli oil
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Instructions
Prepare the Aubergine
- Slice the aubergine lengthwise into 1 cm thick slices, then cut each slice into 1 cm wide strips. Remove the air fryer shelf and arrange the aubergine strips in the air fryer basket. Cook at 200ºC for 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
Prep the Vegetables
- Peel and finely slice the garlic. Cut the pak choi into quarters lengthwise. Once the aubergine is done cooking, remove the air fryer basket and scatter the garlic and peanuts over the aubergine. Drizzle the sweet chili sauce over the ingredients, then give the basket a shake to evenly coat everything. Add the pak choi to the basket and cook for an additional 5 minutes at 200ºC, or until the aubergine becomes soft and sticky.
Prepare the Noodles
- While the aubergine and pak choi cook, place the noodles in a bowl and cover them with boiling water to soften. Let them sit while you finish the rest of the preparation.
Additional Step-by-Step Instructions
Trim and Slice:
Trim the spring onions and slice them finely. Also, finely slice the fresh chili for added heat. Separate the lettuce leaves and pick the leaves from the herbs of your choice for garnish.
Finish the Dish:
Once the noodles are softened, drain them and add them to the air fryer basket with the cooked aubergine and pak choi. Toss the noodles with the majority of the spring onions, fresh chili, chili oil, and balsamic vinegar. Stir everything together, season to taste, and cook for another minute or two in the air fryer if necessary.
Serve:
Transfer the noodle mixture to a serving bowl. Place the lettuce leaves alongside for a refreshing contrast. Garnish with the remaining spring onions, chili slices, and fresh herbs before serving.