Baingan Bharta (Indian Spiced Eggplant Mash)

Ingredients

• Grill
• 2 large or 3 medium eggplants (firm with shiny skin & at room temp)
• 5 cloves garlic (halved lengthwise)
• 2 green chillies (sliced)
• 1 tsp oil
• Mash
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 cup onions (diced)
• 3 cloves garlic (grated)
• 1 inch ginger (grated)
• 1 cup tomatoes (diced)
• 1/2 tsp chilli powder
• 1 tsp salt (to taste)
• 1/2 tsp garam masala
• cilantro or parsley (chopped)
• lemon (quartered)

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Steps ---

2. 2

   Wash, pat dry & make 4 long slits on each eggplant.

3. 3

   Stuff slits with garlic & chillies then brush with oil.

4. 4

   Place a wire rack on top of hot coal or stove top & arrange eggplants on top.

5. 5

   Turn eggplants every 2 mins to make sure that all sides are equally charred.

6. 6

   Grill for 10-15 mins until skins are fully charred & flesh fully roasted.

7. 7

   Cool eggplants till it's safe to peel off their skin without burning your hands.

8. 8

   Mash grilled eggplants together with the grilled garlic & chillies, set aside.

9. 9

   In a large pan on medium high heat, add oil.

10. 10

    When hot, add onion, garlic & ginger, cook till onion turns translucent.

11. 11

    Add tomatoes, salt & chilli powder, cook till tomatoes break down.

12. 12

    Add mashed eggplant mixture, mix well, add garam masala & cook for 5 mins.

13. 13

    Taste to adjust seasoning, transfer into serving plate/bowl & garnish with cilantro/parsley.

14. 14

    Squeeze lemon on dish just before consuming.