Preheat the oven to 200°C. Trim the aubergine then halve lengthways. Chop each half into four long strips then chop widthways into roughly 2cm pieces. Peel, halve and thinly slice the shallot. Peel and grate the garlic (or use a garlic press). Roughly chop the coriander (stalks and all).

Pour the cold water for the rice (see ingredients for amount) into a medium saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. Stir in the rice and 0.25 tsp of salt, cover with the lid and bring to the boil on medium-high heat. Once boiling, turn the heat down to its lowest setting. Leave to cook for 10 mins, then remove the pan from the heat (still covered) and leave to the side for another 10 mins or until ready to serve (the rice will continue to cook in its own steam).

Pop the diced aubergine onto a large baking tray and sprinkle over the ground coriander and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with oil, arrange in a single layer then roast on the top shelf of the oven until cooked and golden, 20-25 mins, turning halfway through.

In the meantime, heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat (no oil). Once hot, add the lamb and season with salt and pepper. Cook until browned, 5-6 mins. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once the mince is brown, drain and discard any excess oil in the pan, then lower the heat slightly and add the shallot. Cook until softened, 3-4 mins then stir in the garlic and North Indian style curry powder. Cook for 30 seconds. IMPORTANT: Wash your hands after handling raw meat.

Add the finely chopped tomatoes, water for the curry (see ingredients for amount) and the stock paste to the lamb. Stir to combine, bring to the boil, then lower the heat and simmer until the curry is thick and tomatoey, 8-10 mins. Stir occasionally. IMPORTANT: The mince is cooked when no longer pink in the middle.

Once cooked, stir the roasted aubergine into the curry and cook until piping hot, 1-2 mins. Mix in half the coriander and season to taste with salt and pepper. Fluff up the rice with a fork then serve in bowls with the curry spooned on top. Sprinkle over the remaining coriander and dig in.