Aubergine, Smokey Bacon and Feta roll ups!

Last weekend in my Mediterranean Classics cooking class along with lots of gorgeous dishes, one from Corfu, Morocco and Italy we made my Aunt's favorite starter!  Its simple, your friends and family will love you for it.  So here is how we did it. Please DO try this at home.  Book a Mediterranean Class with me.
 
Aubergine, Smokey Bacon and Feta roll-ups

Makes about 12/14

Ingredients

2 Aubergines (Longer the better)

12-14 slices of Smoked Streaky bacon rashers

½ a pack of Good Feta Cheese 100g (Goats/Sheep’s milk only)

Salt, pepper and mild paprika

Greek Yogurt and Lemons quartered to serve
Olive Oil

Cocktail sticks.

Method

           Firstly, square off the aubergine, then slice the aubergine as thin as possible, by placing the aubergine flat down on a chopping board, one hand pressing down whilst the other hand slices across the aubergine about half a centimetre from the board and across.

           Next lay them out on a large plate or tray. Next sprinkle some salt over the aubergines, wait about 10 minutes, turn them over and repeat. 

This draws out the water and flavour of the aubergine making it easier to cook. 

3.        Put a griddle pan onto the hop and heat up for about 5 minutes (don’t add any oil to the pan, leave it dry) Whilst this is happening take some kitchen towel and soak up all the juices from the aubergine slices, shaking off any access salt.  Then with a pastry brush, brush the side showing with olive oil.

4.        Now place the aubergine olive oil side down onto the griddle pan, then brush the other side with olive oil and sprinkle some paprika, leave for roughly 3 minutes, then turn over and repeat. When done slightly fold and set aside. Be gentle, they can be fragile.

5.        Next cook the bacon rashers, not too crispy, as you need to roll them.

6.         Cut chunky slices of feta, place at the largest end of the aubergine slice and roll up, then take a  piece of bacon and roll it around the rolled aubergine and feta, securing with a cocktail stick,  repeat until they are all done.  Serve with Lemon and Greek yogurt.  Heaven!