Baingan Bharta: Indian-style Roast Eggplant Dip

If I told you that I whip up amazingly gourmet meals at the drop of a hat for our dinners every day, then I’d have to be lying. Honestly, I’m always looking for recipes that quick and simple to prepare and will also be enjoyed by my family for dinner – just like this Baingan Bharta recipe. Except of course, when I have company coming! Now that’s a whole different story altogether.

Even then, I’m not spending all those hours on one single dish – but instead, I’m actually going nuts fussing over a minimum of five main courses. Yes, I get like that while entertaining. But the diligent licking of everyone’s fingertips and perplexed weight-watching souls worrying over whether to go in for seconds (thirds, actually) more than makes up for all the effort.

This Baingan Bharta recipe of mine is always one of those dishes that rarely, if ever, has any leftover.

When it comes to feeding family, I like to go easy on myself. It’s not that I don’t enjoy feeding my family with rich palate-pleasing favourites, but I’d rather spend my time with them enjoying simple, yet equally delightful food made in much less time. A recent email from one of my readers posed a question I have been subjected to many times. This compelled me to come out and talk about my regular at-home meals.

Ingredients

• 2 large eggplants
• 2 tbsp light cooking oil
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tbsp finely chopped ginger
• 2 medium-sized onions finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 2 medium-sized tomatoes finely chopped
• salt to taste
• 1/4 tsp garam masala powder
• finely chopped fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions

• Make tiny slits all over the eggplants and roast them in a 400 degree oven for 20-25 mins till the skin starts to char on all sides. Peel the eggplants, mash it to a pulp and set aside.
• Heat oil in a large pan and add in cumin seeds. As soon as they begin to sizzle, add in chopped ginger and onions, and fry for 2-3 minutes on medium-high heat till onions start to soften and lightly brown.
• Add in spices and chopped tomatoes, and fry for a few minutes till tomatoes start to pulp and give out oil along the sides. Season with salt, and mix in the mashed eggplant. Stir to mix well and cook covered on low heat for 3-4 minutes.
• Sprinkle garam masala on top and garnish with fresh cilantro leaves. Serve hot with a side of rotis.