Baigan Bharta (spicy egg plant mashed)

Winter is just around the corner, though not in Bangalore - its just been raining incessantly :( , still the good part about winter is the abundance of fresh vegetables and i especially love the peas , the sweet and soft variety which i end up eating raw while trying to shell for vegetables :)

One of the winter staple for me is baigan ka bharta (mashed eggplant) again a simple dish and quick to make.

You need

Eggplant (Baigan) - 1 large
Green Peas -  1/2 cup (fresh or frozen)
Onion - 1 large chopped finely
Tomato - 1 large chopped finely
Ginger - 1' finely chopped
Green chillies - 1 finely chopped
Cumin seeds - 1/2  tea spoon
Cumin powder - 1/2 tea spoon
Turmeric - 1/3 tea spoon
Salt - to taste
Cooking oil - 1 teaspoon
Coriander leaves to garnish


To cook.

Clean eggplant throughly and slit eggplant length, ensuring the base remain intact.

Roast it on open flame on stove or in the oven till its cooked thoroughly (put a skewer, there should not be any resistance)

Once roasted and slightly cooled, peel the cover and mash.

Now in a hot wok (on medium flame on a stove) add oil, add cumin till it splutters.

Add ginger, green chillies, saute for half a minute

Add  onion and fry for couple of minutes , till it turns little golden

Now add remaining tomatoes , saute for a minute

turn heat to low, add cumin powder, turmeric , salt and cook for 4-5 minutes

Now add peas , mashed egg plant

Again on low heat cook for 5-6 mins, remove from heat.

Garnish with coriander and serve hot