Baingan Bharta!

Today's post is dedicated to Kimmie ! My friend, my boss and a great appreciator of good food! I love the way her face lights up when I make this dish for her! Although, of course a bar of Snickers can make her react the same way!!

 

BAINGAN BHARTA

A North Indian speciality of roasted eggplant, skinned and made into a simple but exotic preparation

Eggplant 2 pounds

Oil 3 tablespoons

Cumin seeds 1 teaspoon

Onions, chopped 3 medium

Ginger 2 inch piece

Green chillies, chopped 2

Red chilli powder 2 teaspoons

Salt to taste

Tomatoes, chopped 4 large

Fresh coriander leaves, chopped 1 1/2 tablespoons

Baingan Bharta masala 1 tablespoon (Indian store)

Method

Wash, pat dry and prick eggplants. Broil them on high until the skin starts peeling off and eggplants start to shrink. Let them cool. Remove skin and mash the pulp completely. Heat oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds. Cook for half a minute and add onions and sauté until translucent. Add ginger and green chillies and cook for a minute. Add red chilli powder and mashed roasted eggplants. Cook for seven to eight minutes over medium heat, stirring continuously. Add baingan bharta masala and salt to taste. Add tomatoes and cook on medium heat for seven to eight minutes or till oil separates. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve hot with naan, rotis or any indian bread!

When I tone down the spice level my kids love this dish!!