Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Baingan Bharta ( Vegan Roasted Eggplant Curry)

Ingredients and Method to make Baingan Bharta
2 large eggplants
1 very large onion or 2 medium onions cut fine preferably red onions (yielded 2 cups of cut pieces of onion)
4 medium sized tomatoes cut fine  (yielded 2 cups of cut pieces of tomato)
3 Thai or Indian variety green chilies (or to taste)
a thin sliver of ginger minced = 1/2 tsp minced ginger
2 tbsp oil + a little extra to apply on the eggplant
3/4 tsp cumin seeds (jeera/ jeeragam)
1/4 tsp turmeric powder (haldi/ manjal podi)
1/2 tsp coriander powder (dhania powder)
salt to taste
1/2 tsp garam masala (or to taste) (to know how to make your own garam masala click here)
handful of cilantro (coriander leaves/ hara dhania/ kothamalli) cut fine for garnish

Pre heat oven to 350 deg F (approx 180 deg C). Line a tray with foil. Wash and wipe dry eggplants. Apply a little oil evenly around the skin of the eggplant. Place on tray and bake until done. It takes anywhere between 40 to 60 minutes depending on the size and thickness of the eggplant. You know when the eggplant is done if when pressed with a spatula it feels soft. Remove from the oven, cool a little and peel the skin. Place the peeled eggplant in the a large bowl and mash thoroughly.

In a large heavy bottomed pan, heat oil. Add cumin seeds to it, when the seeds begin to sizzle add onions and saute until the onions turn pinkish. Do not allow the onions to brown, once onions are pinkish and soft add green chilies and minced ginger and stir a few times.
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Add tomatoes and cook until tomatoes are soft and mushy. Add turmeric powder, coriander powder and stir a few times. Add mashed eggplant, salt to taste, garam masala and mix well. Allow this mixture to heat for a few minutes to allow the flavors to mingle.

Garnish with cilantro and serve hot with any kind of  naan/ kulcha/ roti/chapathi/ phulkas (Indian flat bread) or even with some jeera rice (cumin flavored rice) and some dhal on the side for an Indian themed meal or if you are not in the mood to fuss you can even just serve this with some multi grain bread for a quick and easy meal.