Maltese Stuffed Aubergines (Brungiel Mimli) - Ainsley Harriott

Ingredients

• 2 large or 3 medium aubergines
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• ¼ - ½ tsp chilli flakes
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• pinch of nutmeg
• 400g minced beef (or pork)
• 1 tbsp tomato puree (or Maltese Kunserva)
• 200 ml passata
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 80g cheese (hard gbejna or Parmesan/pecorino), grated
• 8 basil leaves, shredded, plus extra to serve
• 30g walnuts, toasted, chopped (optional)
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper