Aloobaigainpotatoandeggplantaubergine Recipes

ALOO BAINGAN (POTATO AND EGGPLANT)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lay out chopped eggplant on one non-stick cooking sheet and chopped potato on the other. Roast eggplant for approximately 15 minutes, until it is starting to soften but not mushy. Roast potatoes for approximately 25 minutes, until edges are starting to brown and potatoes are just cooked.
• While eggplant and potatoes are roasting, place the grated ginger, jalapeño, coriander powder, paprika, turmeric, and 2 tablespoons of water in a small bowl. Mix to make a paste.
• Heat a cast iron or nonstick pot over medium heat. Test the heat by adding one cumin seed to the pot; if seed cracks right away, the pot is heated to the right temperature.
• Add cumin seeds and asafoetida after seed cracks. Add the spice mixture and stir-fry for 20 seconds, stirring continuously.
• Add chopped tomato and stir-fry for a minute. Add tomato sauce. Mix well.
• Add roasted potatoes and eggplant. Mix gently and let it simmer for 3 to 4 minutes on medium-low heat. Taste and add salt, if needed. Turn off the heat and add chopped cilantro. Mix well. Chef's Note: Asafoetida is a spice derived from the resin extracted from a plant root. It has a pungent aroma that is very strong when raw but works as a flavor enhancer when cooked. It gives a unique flavor to most Indian dishes. It is also called "Hing," available in most Indian grocery stores.

ALOO BAINGAN - EGGPLANT AND POTATO CURRY

Steps:

• Slice off the stem of the eggplant. Then continue to slice the eggplant widthwise into 3/4 inch-thick rounds. Dice the rounds into 1-inch cubes.
• Place a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add ¼ cup oil to lightly coat the bottom of the skillet. Add the eggplant in a single layer (you may need to do this in 2 batches) and pan-fry for 3 minutes, until golden brown. Then flip the pieces and pan-fry for another 2-3 minutes. Add oil as needed and distribute as needed because the eggplant has a tendency to absorb oil. Remove onto a plate and set aside. (See Note 1)
• Heat oil in a heavy bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the cumin seeds and allow them to sizzle for a few seconds. Add the onion and sauté, stirring frequently, until lightly golden (~8-10 min). Deglaze with 2 tbsp of water.
• Once the water dries up, add the garlic and ginger and sauté for another minute, until the raw smell disappears and the onions deepen in color. Add the tomatoes, green chili pepper, all spice powders (except garam masala), and salt. Cook until the tomatoes are soft and the oil begins to separate from them (~4-5 minutes). If needed, add 2 tbsp of water to deglaze the pan and help the tomatoes disintegrate into the masala.
• Once the oil has separated from the curry base/masala, add the potatoes. Sauté for another 2-3 minutes to soften. Add 1/2 cup water and stir to mix.
• Turn the heat down to low-medium, cover, and cook for 10 minutes. Stir in the pan-fried eggplant (See Note 2) and cook for another 15-17 minutes, stirring occasionally. If it's sticking to the bottom of the pan, deglaze with 1/4 cup of water. The eggplant should get mushy and the potato should be very tender.
• If needed, raise the heat and sauté for 2-3 minutes, until the oil starts to separate again and most of the eggplant has disintegrated into the masala.
• Adjust salt and seasoning if needed. Turn off the heat and sprinkle in cilantro, garam masala or chaat masala (if using), and lemon juice. Serve hot with roti, naan, or any type of bread.

EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE)-POTATO HASH

Steps:

• In a large skillet, combine potatoes and broth: if necessary, season lightly with salt, to taste.
• Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, cover partially and reduce heat to medium.
• Cook until potatoes are almost tender and most of liquid has evaporated, about 6 minutes.
• Transfer to separate bowl and set aside.
• In same skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
• Add onion and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in oil, eggplant, and 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons water: season lightly with salt to taste.
• Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and cook until eggplant is tender, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.
• Add garlic and flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute.
• Reduce heat to low, stir in milk and cook uncovered, stirring, 2 minutes.
• Stir in reserved potato mixture.
• Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until hash is thick and saucy, 5-7 minutes.
• During last minute of cooking, sprinkle cheese over hash.

ROASTED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) AND POTATO SOUP

Steps:

• Place oven rack about 10 inches from broiler.
• Broil eggplant until charred all over, turning as needed. This will take anywhere from 25 to 40 minutes depending on size of eggplant.
• Let cool, remove skin and coarsely chop.
• In medium large stockpot, melt butter over medium heat.
• Saute onions and garlic until soft. DO NOT LET GARLIC BURN.
• Stir in paprika,pepper,cumin,salt and eggplant.
• Turn heat to high, and stirring constantly, cook about 2 minutes.
• Pour in stock and potatoes.
• Bring to a boil, and reduce to a simmer.
• Cook until potatoes are fork-tender.
• Puree in food processor in batches.
• Re-warm as needed. Serve with some yogurt swirled on top.
• * If using a blender instead of food processor, make sure you peel the potatoes first and puree in small batches as this is very hot.