IN PROGRESS
I was unable to find the right type of eggplant, so I decided to use the purple ones which are available everywhere. I also decided against stuffing them, which made it a lot less messy but also the end result a lot less elegant. Hopefully, the flavour is still OK. Here is what I did:
2 medium,sized, purple eggplants, cut into wedges
For what was to be the stuffing – now the marinade:
- 1 teaspoon oil
- 1 tblsp coriander seeds
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 2 dried red chilli peppers (broken into pieces) or the equivalent quantity of whatever form of chili you have available
- 4 green cardamom pods
- 4 cloves
- 1 medium red onion (chopped)
- 50 g cashew nuts
- 2 tblsp sesame seeds (I am using black ones)
- 50 g grated coconut
- 4 tblsp coriander leaves
- 1 tblsp garam masala (despite my best intentions, I have not yet gotten round to making my own, so am using storebought)
- 2 tblsp dark brown sugar (or molasses, but then a bit less due to the strong flavour
- ½ tsp turmeric
- ½ to 1 tsp cayenne pepper or any other kind of chili pepper you have available – to taste
- Salt to taste
Heat 1 tsp oil t on medium heat, add coriander seeds, cumin seeds, cloves, cardamom pods and chili, saute until the coriander seeds are a light reddish-brown and all the spices are very aromatic, about 2-3 minutes on medium heat.
Add one chopped red onion and saute until it softens.
Add cashews and sesame seeds and saute for a couple more minutes over medium heat. Then add the grated coconut and sauté for a couple of minutes. Take off the heat and add turmeric, brown sugar, and garam masala, and salt, mix well, and set aside to cool enough to be added to a blender and blended into a coarse past.
Pour this paste over the eggplant wedges and leave them to marinade while your prepare the rest.
1 tin chopped tomatoes
1 tblsp oil
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp cumin seeds
Pinch asafetida
- 2 red onions finely diced
- 1 knob fresh garlic, minced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium potatoes of type that will not fall apart easily, halved and then quartered
1 red onion, finely chopped
4 potatoes in wedges
- In the same wok or skillet add 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Add mustard seeds and when they sputter add cumin seeds and asafetida. Stir in the last cup of onions. Saute until the onions begin to brown.
- Stir in ginger and garlic and saute for a couple more minutes.
- Place the stuffed eggplants in the wok in a single layer.
- Mix the sliced potatoes with any leftover masala in the bowl and add to the wok or pan, arranging the potatoes carefully on the sides of and between the eggplant.
- Add the tin of chopped tomato along the edges of the vegetables. Once the liquid bubbles and boils, cover the pot. Turn heat down to medium low and let the eggplants cook about 15-20 minutes. Add a little water along the edges as needed to ensure the eggplants and potatoes don’t stick, or if you want a saucier dish.
- After the eggplants have cooked for 10 minutes, turn them around gently to so they cook evenly on all sides. Use a spoon or small ladle to ensure you don’t mash the eggplants or potatoes.
- Once the eggplants are very soft, turn off the heat, garnish with cilantro and serve hot.