Name: Layered Picnic-in-a-Jar
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Ingredients: For the rice layer; 2 1/2 cups cooked brown rice; 3 tablespoons chopped, pitted green olives; 3 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander leaves; 1/4 cup olive oil; 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar; Salt and freshly ground black pepper; For the chickpea layer; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1/2 onion, chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger; 1/2 teaspoon turmeric; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper; Zest of 1 lemon; 1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas, rinsed and drained; 1/4 cup white wine; Salt and freshly ground black pepper; For the aubergine layer; 1/2 aubergine, cut into 1-inch cubes; Salt and freshly ground black pepper; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 1/2 onion, chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 2 cups shredded cooked chicken, such as leftover rotisserie chicken or about 2 cutlets, cooked and shredded; Special equipment: 4 (1-pint) jam jars

To make the rice layer:

Place the rice in a medium bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together the olives, coriander, oil, vinegar, and salt, and pepper to make a light vinaigrette. Drizzle the dressing over the rice and toss to coat completely.

To make the chickpea layer:

In a large saute pan, heat the olive oil, then add the onions and cook over medium heat until very tender and beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, cayenne, and lemon zest and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the chickpeas and stir to coat. Turn the heat up to high and deglaze the pan with the wine. Remove the pan from the heat, season with salt, and pepper, to taste and set aside.

To make the aubergine layer:

Place the aubergine cubes in a colander and salt liberally. Let rest for 20 to 30 minutes and then blot with paper towels. In a large saute pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat and cook the onions until tender. Add the blotted aubergine. The aubergine will absorb the oil, but only add more if the aubergine is very dry. Cook for 5 minutes on medium heat, turning occasionally. Add the garlic, and lower the heat, adding a little more oil, if necessary. Season the mixture with salt, and pepper, to taste and cook until the aubergine is tender, about 3 or 4 more minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook for a minute to soften just a little and force the juices to release. Turn off the heat. Season with salt, and pepper, and set aside.

To assemble the jars:

Layer the ingredients decoratively in 4 jam jars starting first with the rice, followed by chickpeas, aubergine, chicken, and topped with another layer of rice. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight to prepare for picnic.