Spice Stuffed Indian Eggplant Recipes

SPICE-STUFFED INDIAN EGGPLANT

Steps:

• 1. Prepare the ginger-garlic paste. Then cut the eggplants: Starting at the bottom, make a deep cross-cut toward the stem, stopping about 1/4 inch from the stem. Keep the stem intact. (You should be able to pick up each eggplant by the stem.)2. In a small bowl, mix together the coriander, fennel, cumin, fenugreek, pomegranate seeds, mango powder, cayenne pepper, turmeric, and salt. Fill each eggplant with about 1/2 teaspoon of the spice mixture, making sure that the cut surfaces are covered. Save leftover spices.3. Heat the oil in a large wok, preferably cast-iron, or a nonstick skillet over medium heat, add the eggplants and cook, turning a few times, about 5 minutes. Then reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and cook, turning occasionally, until the eggplants are almost black and crispy on the outsides and meltingly soft inside, about 1 hour. Add the leftover spice mixture during the last 10 minutes. Mix in the cilantro, transfer to a serving dish, and serve.From "1,000 Indian Recipes." Copyright 2002 by Neelam Batra. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

SPICY EGGPLANT SLICES WITH VARIATION (INDIAN)

Steps:

• Make slits on the eggplant slices.
• Mix all the other ingredients ( spices) except the oil.
• Add about a tablespoon of water to wet the mix.
• Apply the spice mix on the eggplant slices.
• Add about a tablespoon of oil to the frying pan and fry a batch of the eggplant slices on one side.
• Turn over the eggplant slices and pour some more oil and fry.
• Complete with the remaining slices.
• Serve with Indian bread.
• Note: I try to use as much less oil as possible.
• Variation:.
• Cut up the eggplant into thin strips.
• Heat the oil.
• Put all the ingredients (except eggplant) and saute for 2-3 minutes.
• Add eggplant strips.
• Cook for about 15-20 minutes on fairly high heat. Stir in between so that nothing sticks to the bottom of the pan.
• Enjoy this easier version :).

INDIAN EGGPLANT IN SPICY SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Bake the eggplant in the preheated oven until very soft and easy to mash, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove from the oven and let cool enough to handle, 15 to 20 minutes. Peel and mash or blend it in a food processor; keep aside.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a pan over medium heat. Add chile peppers, Bengal gram, and coriander. Saute until golden brown, 7 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool, 10 to 20 minutes. Grind into a fine powder.
• Heat remaining oil in the pan and add mustard seeds. Add onion and saute until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Stir in tamarind extract, turmeric, and powder mixture, adding water as needed if sauce is too thick. Bring to a boil; let simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in mashed eggplant; let simmer, 3 to 4 minutes. Season with salt. Serve hot.

SPICE-STUFFED INDIAN EGGPLANT

Steps:

• 1. Prepare the ginger-garlic paste. Then cut the eggplants: Starting at the bottom, make a deep cross-cut toward the stem, stopping about 1/4 inch from the stem. Keep the stem intact. (You should be able to pick up each eggplant by the stem.)2. In a small bowl, mix together the coriander, fennel, cumin, fenugreek, pomegranate seeds, mango powder, cayenne pepper, turmeric, and salt. Fill each eggplant with about 1/2 teaspoon of the spice mixture, making sure that the cut surfaces are covered. Save leftover spices.3. Heat the oil in a large wok, preferably cast-iron, or a nonstick skillet over medium heat, add the eggplants and cook, turning a few times, about 5 minutes. Then reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and cook, turning occasionally, until the eggplants are almost black and crispy on the outsides and meltingly soft inside, about 1 hour. Add the leftover spice mixture during the last 10 minutes. Mix in the cilantro, transfer to a serving dish, and serve.From "1,000 Indian Recipes." Copyright 2002 by Neelam Batra. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

INDIAN-SPICED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• In a small bowl combine spices and in a measuring cup stir together water, sugar, and vinegar. Cut eggplant into 2-inch pieces.
• In a large heavy non-stick skillet heat butter over moderate heat until foam subsides and cook spices, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add eggplant and salt and toss to coat with spice mixture. Stir vinegar mixture and add to eggplant mixture. Simmer mixture, covered, without stirring, 10 minutes, or until eggplant is just tender. Uncover skillet and cook eggplant mixture at a rapid simmer, without stirring, until liquid is almost evaporated and eggplant is slightly charred (but not burned) on bottom, about 15 minutes.
• Remove skillet from heat and let eggplant stand, covered, 5 minutes.
• Serve eggplant sprinkled with fresh coriander.