A Spectacular Vegetarian Centrepiece for Christmas Celebrations
Acclaimed chef and food writer Meera Sodha has unveiled her much-anticipated Christmas recipe for 2023 - a breathtaking aubergine and rice timbale designed to serve as the perfect vegetarian centrepiece for festive gatherings. This impressive dish represents Sodha's continued commitment to creating stunning yet straightforward recipes that bring everyone to the table, regardless of dietary preferences.
The Recipe: Building Your Christmas Masterpiece
Creating this festive showstopper requires approximately 20 minutes preparation and 1 hour 45 minutes cooking time, with an additional 15 minutes resting period before serving. The recipe generously serves eight people, making it ideal for family Christmas dinners.
You'll need some essential equipment including a 23cm springform cake tin and several large baking trays. For those planning ahead, Sodha recommends roasting the aubergines and squash in advance, along with preparing the onion and spice mixture up to the rice-cooking stage.
Key Ingredients and Preparation Method
The timbale features a magnificent combination of flavours and textures. The core ingredients include 1.2kg aubergines, 500g butternut squash, 3 large onions, and an aromatic blend of spices including 1¼ teaspoons ground cinnamon and 1½ teaspoons ground allspice.
The preparation begins with roasting sliced and cubed aubergines alongside the squash until beautifully bronzed. Meanwhile, onions are gently cooked until golden before adding garlic, sage, and spices. The 350g basmati rice is then cooked until slightly underdone before being combined with roasted vegetables, 50g walnuts, 50g currants, and the star ingredient - 150g Boursin cheese (with vegan alternatives available).
The assembly involves carefully layering the roasted aubergine slices in the tin to create a drum-like casing, filling with the rice mixture, and sealing with more aubergine before baking for 30 minutes at 220C (200C fan)/425F/gas 7.
Serving and Practical Tips
After its oven time, the timbale benefits from a 15-minute rest before the dramatic unveiling. The final touch involves frying whole sage leaves until crisp to garnish the magnificent creation.
Sodha offers valuable practical advice for Christmas day planning: the dish can be removed from the oven an hour before serving and reheats well in the microwave, providing flexibility for busy holiday cooks. Both dairy and dairy-free Boursin options are now widely available, ensuring everyone can enjoy this spectacular centrepiece.
This aubergine timbale represents the perfect solution for modern Christmas entertaining - a visually stunning dish that doesn't compromise on flavour while accommodating diverse dietary needs. It's sure to become a new festive tradition for many British households seeking beautiful, flavour-packed vegetarian options.
