1. To prepare an aubergine, cut stalk off with a sharp knife. Working from trimmed end, slice aubergine widthways into discs, as thick as recipe asks for.

2. Depending on recipe, the aubergine can be cooked in slices. Or, to dice, cut the slices lengthways into four, then rotate a quarter turn and cut lengthways into four again, to create an even dice. Stacking several slices on top of each other makes dicing quicker.

3. To hollow out an aubergine for stuffing, cut in half lengthways. Make deep scores in aubergine lengthways, roughly 1cm (½in) apart, taking care not to cut through skin. Score widthways in same way.

4. Put in a roasting tin and drizzle with a little olive oil. Cook at 180°C (160°C fan) mark 4 for 45min until soft.

5. Using a spoon, scoop out flesh, leaving skin intact and use according to recipe.

Use your skills to make these triple-tested recipes:
Aubergine rolls recipe
Mozzarella, tomato and aubergine layer recipe
Lamb moussaka recipe

Oak chopping board, Lakeland. White China small bowl, Sophie Conran. ProChef’s knife, FSC certified beech large "TV Chef’s" board, Professional "S" vegetable knife, Loft 24-piece dinner set, Zwilling J.A. Henckels. Classic non-stick metal rectangular roaster, Pyrex. Oil pourer, chef's own.

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The GH Kitchen Team are Good Housekeeping’s resident recipe developers and all-round food obsessives. GH Kitchen Director Sarah Akhurst is our resident hosting pro and loves nothing more than putting on a foodie feast for friends. Our GH Kitchen Manager Linzi Pucino is our very own Italian food expert (originally hailing from the North East of Scotland!) and can be found working her way through midweek recipes that cover all bases, from haggis to ragu! Our Kitchen Editor ⁠Nadine Brown loves digging into the stories behind her favourite foods and enjoys applying her eclectic tastes to more modern, flavour-forward recipes - just don't give her too much chilli! Our Junior Food Content Produce ⁠Frankie Prichard combines a love of beautiful presentation and flavour-led, seasonal cooking in her recipe development, along with a passion for bringing people together through food. With a wealth of professional kitchen experience between them, they’re dedicated to ensuring every Good Housekeeping recipe is the best it can be, so you can trust they’ll work every single time