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Monday, November 15, 2010

Baingan Bharta


Whenever I go to a grocery story, the deep purple coloured eggplants almost always lure me to buy them. Sometimes I give in, but mostly I don't because my husband is not a big fan of eggplants.
The other day when we were talking about something, DH (dear husband) mentioned he didn't like eggplants very much but he actually liked Baigan Bharta a lot. So the next time I went to the store, I dunked in a large eggplant and happily came home to make Baigan Bharta.

I referred to this recipe on Vegtarian Concoctions. She mentions roasting the eggplant on open flame. I had once baked an eggplant and thought of doing so. But I was short on time, so I chose to microwave it since it's faster and hassle free. I also made some minor changes in the recipe.

Ingredients :
1 large eggplant / brinjal / aubergine
1/2 tsp jeera
4 to 5 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tsp chopped ginger
3 green chillies, minced
1 large onion
3 large tomatoes
2 tbsp roasted peanuts (optional)
1 pinch hing (asafoetida powder)
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp chilli powder
1 tsp garam masala powder
2 tsp jeera powder
1 tsp coriander powder
Salt
Coriander leaves

Method :
Rub about one tsp oil all over the eggplant. Make a few deep slits with a knife (otherwise the eggplant can burst in the microwave). Place in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 11 to 12 minutes. Allow to cool.



Remove the eggplant from the microwave. Chop off the top (calyx) and peel off the skin. I do prefer the peel as well, so I left some of it on. Chop the eggplant and mash it a little bit.

Heat oil in a deep bottomed pan. Add jeera. When it splutters, add ginger, garlic, green chillies and peanuts and roast for sometime. Add onions and saute till they turn translucent. Add all the powders and hing and roast for a couple of minutes. Toss in chopped tomatoes and saute till they are completely cooked. Mash lightly with the back of the spoon.

Add chopped eggplant and roast it in the masala for 5 to 6 minutes. Add salt.
Garnish with coriander leaves.

Sending this to Bookmarked recipes.

25 comments:

  1. The bharta looks very tempting aparna. Just yummy :)

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  2. Hey Aparna,

    The dish looks inviting..I should also make this soon!!:0

    Dr.Sameena@

    http://www.myeasytocookrecipes.blogspot.com

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  3. very tasty looking- would like to devour it with hot rotis---- yum!

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  4. Dear Aparna
    Your recipe arrived just in time..I am roasting an awesome Baigan on open flame and will use your recipe. It doesnt take much time ..
    Micro-ovened is also good except that you dont get that smoked baigan smell..which I love.
    Happy cooking

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  5. Thanks for the suggestion Ushnish. Would love to roast the eggplant next time. However mine is an electric coil so I wasn't sure if I could do it on that. I also want to try baking it in the oven to see if it makes a difference.

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  6. This looks like a very appetizing meal. Next time if your schedule allows it, do roast the eggplant on fire or in the oven, the taste of the eggplant becomes unbelievable.

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  7. Yummy baingan bhartha, truly very inviting..

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  8. Dear Aparna
    Feel good reading your comment at my blog. I dont think you should try the Baigan on electric coil hot plate . I also haven't done it in an electric oven..May be you can try it on a baking tray on grill mode
    Have a nice day

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  9. i like bhata very much roasted bhartha is more tasty than baking looking wonderful

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  10. yummy,nice to have this one with roti

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  11. hi, tried this today, came out very well!!!!!!

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  12. Baingan ka bharta looks delicious.

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  13. Delicious bartha..looks very tasty,great with rotis.

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  14. looks so perfect..this recipe is the first one which i learned from my north indian frnds...

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  15. Love the roasted flavor and smell of baingan bharta. Looks delicious....

    Deepa
    Hamaree Rasoi

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  16. Love baingan bharta! My favourite :-)

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