Aubergines with Sesame Sauce

This is a very easy and delicious way to prepare aubergines. Try to obtain the smaller, more delicately flavoured Chinese aubergines if you can. The cooking process produces sweet, tender and moist aubergine flesh, and increases its receptivity to the classic Sichuan sauce: garlic, ginger and spring onions. This dish makes a delicious starter and, as it is served cold, may be made hours in advance. The sauce, however, should not be poured over the cooked aubergines until just before serving