Baghara Baingan

Ingredients:

• 5-6 Small size Baingan
• ½ tsp mustard seeds
• ½ tsp fenugreek seeds
• 4-5 curry leaves
• Fresh chopped coriander leaves
• Salt to taste
• Oil

For the paste:

• 2 tbsp ground peanuts
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• 1 tsp poppy seeds
• 3 whole dry red chillies
• 1-2 green chillies
• 1 large onion sliced
• 2 tbsp grated coconut (If it’s dry coconut-soaked in ½ cup water)
• 1” Ginger chopped
• 5-6 Garlic cloves
• 2 tsp Cumin seeds
• 2-3 tsp Coriander-Cumin powder
• 1½ tsp Garam masala
• 1tsp turmaric powder
• Lemon sized Tumrind (soaked in hot water)
• Or Dried Mango slices (Amchur) can be used

Method:

1. Slit the brinjals into quarters from the bottom without removing the top green portion. Spread the oil with a brush inside and outside of brinjals and microwave it for 5-6 min on high power with 1 tbsp of oil. Remove the brinjals from the bowl and keep aside.
2. In the same microwave bowl, in the remaining oil, add sliced onions and microwave it for 2 min.
3. Now grind all the dry masalas, ginger and garlic in the mixer. Then add cooked onion, soaked coconut and tamarind. Grind them properly into smooth paste.
4. In a microwave safe bowl, put 2-3 tbsp oil, mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds and curry leaves and microwave it for 1 minute. Then add the prepared paste and microwave it for 3 minutes. Then add salt, some water (if required, to make the gravy of proper consistency), brinjals and cook again for 2 min.
5. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.