Smoky Aubergine & Pepper Dip

Lovely, lovely – smooth, aromatic and with a divine roast and smoky flavour… While the vegetables are baking you can just set the alarm and be doing other things – or put your feet up! Blending the cooked ingredients is a piece of cake.
Photograph courtesy of www.flavourphotos.com
Ingredients:
- 2 aubergines
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- 4 tsp lemon juice
- 1 large red pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika - add more if liked but start small and taste!
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 200˚C/400˚F/Gas Mark 6.
2. Rub the aubergines and pepper with a little olive oil and place them in an ovenproof dish.
3. Roast the aubergines for 1½ hours, turning them occasionally, until the skins have turned black. Roast the pepper for an hour - add it half an hour after you start the aubergines.
4. Place the pepper in a sealed bag or a covered bowl - the released steam loosens the skin and makes it easier to peel.
5. Once the aubergines and pepper have cooled down enough to handle, remove the skins and discard the seeds. Combine with the crushed garlic, lemon juice, olive oil and smoked paprika and whiz in a blender until smooth.
7. Season with salt and black pepper and add a little extra lemon juice and/or smoked paprika taste. Serve chilled or at room temperature with crackers, breadsticks or crusty bread.
Tip: To add a bit more texture, reserve a quarter of the pepper and aubergines and cut both into small cubes. Stir them into the creamy dip.
Did you know that Vegan Recipe Club is run by a charity?
Viva! is a UK-registered charity which educates people about the realities of factory farming and how it impacts our health, the planet and animals. Vegan Recipe Club is part of our project to make going – and staying – vegan really easy by providing amazing recipes which make even meat-eaters’ mouths water!
We’re doing it because veganism saves animals, protects our planet and is better for the environment and your health.
We don’t receive any government funding. We can only keep going with YOUR help. Please consider donating to Viva! to help us continue to offer these life-saving services.