Daily 11 Feb

Ellie Smith & Parm Bhamra
February 11, 2026

Staying In

Try This Cosy Recipe

Looking for an easy mid-week dish to cook up? Try this aubergine parmigiana dish from Charlie Gray, AKA @askcharliehow, who rose to fame online for her homemaking tips before going on to write a cookbook, Through the Seasons. Made with plenty of mozzarella and fresh basil, it’s the ultimate comfort dish for rainy February evenings.

Aubergine Parmigiana

Ingredients

2 tablespoons lemon-infused olive oil
2/3 aubergines peeled and sliced lengthways in ½ slices
400g tomato passata (I love Pizza Express Passata but Mutti finely chopped is excellent)
250g mozzarella drained and chopped into small pieces
2-3 tablespoons finely grated parmesan
Fresh basil
Sea salt to taste

Method

Preheat your oven to 180c.
Peel your aubergines, then slice them lengthways until slightly thicker than a pound coin. Lay your slices onto lined baking trays, then brush them with your lemon-infused olive oil and sprinkle with a little sea salt.
Place your trays into the oven and roast the aubergine slices for approximately 10-15 minutes. Remove once golden and leave to cool a little.
Spread a layer of passata into the bottom of your ovenproof dish.
Add a layer of aubergines, then another layer of passata. Add some shredded basil leaves and mozzarella chunks.
Add another layer of aubergines, passata, more basil and mozzarella. Repeat this layering process until all of your aubergine has been used up.
For the top layer, smother over the last of the passata and mozzarella, then finish with some freshly grated parmesan.
Bake for 20 minutes at 180c until golden and bubbling!

Find out more at askcharlie.how

Going Out

See the Art for Nature Exhibition

Former Environment Minister Lord Zac Goldsmith has traded politics for art in recent years. Today he opens a new exhibition of his bronze sculptures in Fitzrovia, raising vital funds for Yaba Chic Wildlife Conservation (YCWC) and other conservation projects in Costa Rica. Titled Art for Nature, the life-long environmentalist’s sculptures depict some of the world’s most vulnerable species which can be found in Costa Rica’s Osa region, one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. But, like everywhere, this region is under threat, Zac tells us. ‘It’s amazing to me that I can raise funds for heroes fighting to protect and restore nature and end the worst excesses of animal cruelty just by doing something I love,’ the campaigner says, having raised more than £500,000 for nature and animal welfare since he fell in love with sculpting at the beginning of the Covid pandemic. The exhibition showcases sculptures of ‘some of the extraordinary creatures we’re trying to protect,’ Zac says, ‘including individual animals I’ve been lucky enough to meet’. Until 28 Feb at Noho Showrooms, 67 Great Titchfield St., London W1W 7PT. zacgoldsmithart4nature.com

Property Of The Day

If you weren’t already aware of John Constable and his Suffolk landscapes, the new Turner & Constable exhibit at Tate Britain has brought the beloved British painter firmly into the spotlight. Located in the wibbly-wobbly medieval village of Lavenham (best known for its feature in the seventh Harry Potter film), Constable’s former school has hit the market as a historic family home.

On the market for £1.1m, davidburr.co.uk

Little Luxury

Brighten up your day in the office with this nourishing bowl from lunchtime favourite atis, made in collaboration with plant-based restaurant Holy Carrot. The umami-rich dish sees a base of wholegrain rice and greens layered with mushrooms, spring onion and miso ponzu dressing, packed with fermented and pickled ingredients for a gut health boost. Order at atis.life

Competition Time

Craving some winter sun? Here’s your chance to win a five-night stay at Shandrani Beachcomber Resort & Spa in Mauritius.

Psssst…

For the first time, legendary restaurateur Jeremy King sets the record straight on his dramatic ousting from Corbin & King in an exclusive interview with William Sitwell.

Whatever You Do, Don’t

Miss the sample sale hosted by British brands Pink City Prints and If Only If, taking place at Chelsea Old Town Hall on 20 February (12-7pm) and 21 February (10am-4pm). Chelsea Old Town Hall, Kings Road, SW3 5EE