Masala Stuffed Eggplant Recipes

BEYOND CURRY: DRY MASALA-STUFFED EGGPLANTS RECIPE

Steps:

• Slit eggplants lengthwise into quarters, taking care not to cut all the way through. The stem should still hold the entire vegetable together. In a small mixing bowl, combine red chilli powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder, amchoor powder (dried mango powder), and 1 tablespoon oil into a paste. Season to taste with salt.
• Gently open each eggplant, spoon 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of the paste (depending on the size of the eggplant) into each and spread with your fingers until it lightly coats the inside. Heat remaining oil in large heavy bottomed saucepan on high heat until shimmering. Carefully slide eggplants into oil. Stand back while doing this. Wait 20 seconds until one side is lightly fried. Gently turn each eggplant over to lightly fry the other side. Wait 20 seconds. Turn heat down to medium and cover. Allow to cook until completely tender, about 12 minutes total, opening once to turn eggplants over. Remove from heat, drain excess oil on a paper towel, and season with salt to taste. Serve hot with rotis (Indian bread) or with white rice and daal (lentil soup).

EGGPLANT STUFFED WITH SESAME-PEANUT MASALA

Steps:

• Using coffee grinder / food processor, separately pulse sesame seeds and peanuts into coarsely ground powders. Remove to a bowl. Add cilantro, sugar, salt, 2 tsp water, garlic, cayenne, and turmeric and mix well with fingers. The mixture should be lumpy--if it isn't, add a few more drops of water. Taste and adjust salt and sugar if needed. Filling should taste slightly sweet and a little salty.
• Leaving stem end intact, make 2 intersecting diagonal cuts on the bottom end of each eggplant. You're basically making an "x." do not cut all the way through. be sure to leave stems on. stuff each "x" with filling, packing it down well. This is easier said than done--it will feel awkward, but just push in as much filling as the eggplant will take, using fingers to gently pry the eggplant open.
• Heat oil in large skillet. Gently place each eggplant in the pan over medium heat. Turn eggplants occasionally till they are each browned on all sides. Don't worry too much if some of the filling spills out.
• Once all eggplants are browned, pour in remaining 1/4 c water, cover, and cook on low till tender, about 15 minute To check doneness, pierce stem end of each eggplant with a small, sharp knife--it should slide easily. The whole eggplant should feel soft to the touch.
• Instead of pan braising it, you may braise the eggplant in the oven if you prefer. Use ovenproof skillet. After browning the eggplant on the stovetop, pour in water, cover, and transfer the skillet to preheated 350 degrees F oven and roast until eggplant is tender, between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on size of eggplant.

MASALA STUFFED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Scoop out the pulp from the eggplant halves, leaving a 1/2-inch shell; coarsely chop the eggplant pulp; set aside pulp and shells.
• In a saucepan, bring 3 cups water to a boil over medium-high heat.
• Add in potatoes; cook for 15 minutes.
• Add in eggplant pulp, cover and cook for 3 minutes.
• Uncover the pan and keep cooking for about 5 more minutes (potatoes should be tender, not mushy; eggplant is soft but not falling apart).
• Take pan off of heat; drain well and reserve 1/4 cup of cooking liquid.
• Let cool.
• Mash the potatoes and eggplant with a fork; don't want it too smooth, so leave some chunks for texture; set aside.
• Add cumin seeds to a large dry cast-iron skillet over medium heat.
• Toast for 2-3 minutes or until browned and aromatic; stir often; transfer toasted seeds to a small bowl.
• Allow the skillet to cool slightly; spray with non-stick cooking spray.
• Place over medium heat and add oil; tilt skillet to coat.
• Add in the onion; cook and stir for 7 minutes or until just starting to brown.
• Lower the heat slightly and add in the chile pepper, ginger, mustard seeds and toasted cumin seeds.
• Cook and stir often for 3-4 minutes or until the mustard seeds start to pop.
• Add in the cilantro, garam masala, salt, coriander, turmeric, and cayenne, and reserved cooking liquid; stir to combine.
• Add the potato-eggplant mixture, lemon juice, honey, and tomato paste.
• Lower the heat, cook and stir to heat thoroughly.
• Add the chickpeas and stir to combine.
• Season more to taste if needed.
• Take skillet from heat.
• Stuff eggplant shells with potato-eggplant mixture.
• Place stuffed shells in a 13x9 inch baking dish that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
• Cover tightly with foil and bake at 400° for 45 minutes.
• Sprinkle fresh cilantro over the top if desired and serve.