The Black Seat

Ingredients

• 2 large aubergines
• 2 red bell peppers
• 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp capers
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp coarse sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 red onion
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar

Method

1. Slice the aubergines lengthwise into 1 cm thick slices.
2. Halve the bell peppers, remove seeds, and cut each half into 2 wide strips.
3. Brush aubergine and bell pepper with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper.
4. Grill the aubergine and bell pepper on a grill pan or barbecue until soft and lightly charred.
5. Slice the red onion into thin half rings, mix with red wine vinegar and let sit for 10 minutes.
6. Make a dressing from the lemon juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, and the capers.
7. On each plate, lay 2 long aubergine slices parallel as chair legs.
8. Place a wide pepper strip horizontally as the seat, and a second strip upright as the backrest.
9. Garnish the chair subtly with some pickled onion and drizzle the dressing over.

Serving notes

• Serve on a white plate to make the chair shape stand out.
• Place the chairs at an angle for extra tension.
• Leave space to emphasize the 'empty seat'.