In batches, brown the aubergine slices on both sides, lowering the heat and adding oil as required.

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Remove the weight from the aubergine, thoroughly rinse the slices and pat dry.

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So what will they make of his absurdist aubergine paintings when they go on display at Beijing's Red Gate Gallery next year?

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Federal inspectors would be needed to analyze and file reports on the results, and to recommend litigation against any building that tended to the aubergine or lavender.

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Order starters like the mirza ghassemi (smoked aubergine with garlic and tomato), which is severed with high mounds of fresh herbs like tarragon and mint, as well as cooked-to-order breads, fresh from the oven.

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Its residents were an inspiration to others in the way they mocked their reality: a heating pipe was used to mimic a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, an aubergine a bomb, and lady's fingers bullets.

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The aubergine hue was apparently Mr. Aliyev's doing.

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The aptly named Poutineville, at the edge of the Latin Quarter, is a prime spot to capture locals indulging in favourite poutine variations like The Godfather, which is topped with Italian sausage, roasted red peppers and marinated aubergine.

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Once you have shopped within a whisker of your luggage allowance, grab a Lebanese mezze lunch outdoors at Cafe Layali Zaman on the Corniche (look for the "Baguette" sign), where the hummus is perfectly garlicky, the baba ganoush a smoky, aubergine dream and you might choose to accompany your Arabic coffee with a sweet-scented shisha water-pipe.

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