Cheatin' Tagine With Herby Salad

Ingredients

• Tagine
• 3 aubergines, cut into 2cm cubes
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped (use pre-chopped if short of time)
• 1 tsp ground cumin (optional)
• 1 tsp ground coriander (optional)
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
• ½-1 tsp chilli powder (optional)
• 1 x 400g/14 oz tin chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 x 400g/14 oz tin chopped tomatoes
• 250ml/1 cup strong vegan stock (add a little more if it’s sticking to the pan)
• 2 handfuls of apricots, finely chopped or use 2 handfuls of raisins or sultanas
• 2 handfuls green olives (optional)
• 2 preserved lemons, finely chopped (optional)
• Salt
• pepper
• Herby salad (optional)
• 2 tsp sugar (ideally brown)
• 2 tsp boiling water
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp cider vinegar
• 2 white onions, finely sliced
• 1 large handful of parsley, stalks removed and roughly chopped
• 1 large handful of fresh mint, stalks removed and roughly chopped
• 1 large handful of fresh coriander, roughly chopped (remove stalks if preferred)
• Optional toppings: fresh coriander, fresh mint, fresh pomegranate seeds, tahini sauce, toasted flaked almonds
• High protein toppings: mixed seeds, tahini sauce, toasted flaked almonds, toasted pine nuts, toasted pistachios