Tear Rain with Gas Canisters

Name: Tear Rain with Gas Canisters
Yield: 4 people
Ingredients: 2 aubergines; 2 red pointed peppers; 2 red onions; 1 lemon; 2 tbsp red wine vinegar; 1 tsp sugar; 1 tsp chili flakes; 4 tbsp olive oil; salt and pepper

Based on:

TypeSide dish

Serves4 people

DateNovember 9, 2026

Spicy aubergines and peppers as tear gas canisters on a bed of sharp, tangy onions.

Long, grilled aubergines and pointed red peppers form tear gas canisters on a bed of tangy pickled red onion and lemon. The sharp, sour flavors and fiery look echo the protest and painful tension from the news.

Ingredients

2 aubergines
2 red pointed peppers
2 red onions
1 lemon
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp chili flakes
4 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper

Method

Cut the aubergines lengthwise into four wedges each.
Halve the pointed peppers lengthwise, remove seeds.
Mix 2 tbsp olive oil with salt, pepper, and chili flakes. Brush aubergine and peppers.
Grill aubergine and peppers on high heat until charred and tender (about 10 min).
Slice the red onions into thin rings. Juice the lemon.
Mix onion, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, sugar, and 2 tbsp olive oil. Let sit for 10 min.
Spread the tangy onions over a flat platter as 'clouds of smoke'.
Arrange the aubergines and peppers diagonally and overlapping as 'tear gas canisters' on the onions.

Serving notes

Serve cold or at room temperature for sharp flavors.
Garnish with extra chili flakes for added tension.