This rich, fragrant curry lends itself to all kinds of seasonal vegetables, and will work well with a range of summer beers.
Summer is a time for fruity, floral and effervescent beers: the citrus and tropical fruit of an IPA; bittersweet pale ales; palate-cleansing lagers.
Brewers are doing great things with alcohol-free beer, and Heineken 0.0 will not only help cleanse your palate between bites but also complement the sweetness in the dish. Scorcher IPA from Brooklyn Brewery is spritzy, citrusy and slightly spicy – and will get on famously with summery flavours like lemongrass. Those partial to a pale ale will find the bittersweet Sharp’s Atlantic will complement the curry while tempering its chilli heat.
Aubergine and coconut curry
For the curry paste
2 lemongrass stalks, roughly chopped, with tough outer leaves removed
1 shallot, roughly chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 red chilli, finely chopped
Thumb-sized piece of ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
1 tsp turmeric
2 tsp coriander seeds
Salt
2 tbsp groundnut or vegetable oil
For the curry
1 tbsp groundnut or vegetable oil
1 x 400ml tin full-fat coconut milk
10 baby aubergines, split lengthways
2 red peppers, roughly chopped
1 red chilli, pricked
250ml vegetable stock
1 x 400g tin chickpeas, drained
1 tsp caster sugar
Juice of 1 lime, plus lime wedges to serve
½ tsp salt
1. First, make the curry paste. Put all of the ingredients into a food processor and whizz to a rough paste, adding more oil if you need to.
2. Now for the curry. Heat the oil in a large frying pan, then add 2 tbsp of the curry paste and a splash of coconut milk. Cook until fragrant. Add the aubergines, coat in the paste and cook for 2 minutes.
3. Add the red peppers. Cook for another minute then add the rest of the coconut milk, the chilli and enough stock to cover the veg.
4. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the aubergines are tender. Add the chickpeas, warm through, then add the lime juice and sugar. Add more sugar, lime or salt as needed. Serve with lime wedges on the side.
Beer recommendations
Scorcher IPA, Sharp’s Atlantic, and Heineken 0.0 make a great partner for curry.
