El-Sayed's Senate Seat

Ingredients

• 2 large eggplants
• 4 red bell peppers
• 4 medium waxy potatoes
• 250 g green lentils
• 2 onions
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 can diced tomatoes (400 g)
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 bunch flat-leaf parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C.
2. Slice the eggplants in half lengthwise and brush with 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Halve the bell peppers, remove seeds, and brush with olive oil.
4. Slice the potatoes into 1 cm thick rounds.
5. Place eggplants, peppers, and potato slices on a baking tray and roast for 25 minutes until golden and cooked through.
6. Meanwhile, cook the lentils in plenty of water for 20 minutes, then drain.
7. Finely chop the onions and garlic.
8. Sauté onion and garlic in 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pan.
9. Add cumin and smoked paprika, cook briefly.
10. Add the lentils and diced tomatoes, simmer for 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
11. Cut the roasted peppers into wide strips.
12. On each plate, build a 'chair': a base of lentil stew, a half eggplant upright as the backrest, potato slices as the seat, and bell pepper as armrests.
13. Garnish with roughly chopped parsley for a stately touch.

Serving notes

• Serve on large, white plates for a solemn presentation.
• Drizzle a little olive oil over the vegetables for extra shine.
• Place the 'chair' centrally on the plate, symbolizing the Senate race.