Bhaigan Bhartha (Eggplant Mash)

Got Bhartha?

Bhaigan bhartha literally means mashed eggplants. This is one of my favorite [spicy] comfort foods. The eggplant is cooked with spices to a mashed consistency. I like to bake my eggplant and then add it to the spices; it really brings out and enhances the flavors. The bhartha can be served with either rice or roti.

Bhaigan Bhartha

Ingredients:
1-2 large eggplants
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 medium chopped onion
4-6 chopped green chilies
1/2 teaspoon tumeric powder
1 medium chopped tomato
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
Pinch of chili powder
Few sprigs of chopped cilantro
Salt to taste
Oil

Directions:

• Rub or spray the eggplant(s) with oil. Poke a few holes into the eggplants with a fork and bake in the oven on high til it is slightly burned on the outside (about 20 mins).
• Meanwhile, pour about 3-4 tablespoons of oil into a pan. Add the cumin seeds followed by the garlic. Saute on medium heat.
• Add chopped onions and salt. Once the onions are sauted, add the green chilies, tumeric powder, tomato, coriander powder, and cumin powder. Cook on low flame until the tomato is soft.
• Add the cilantro and cover the pan.
• Peel the skin off of the baked eggplant and chop it into huge chunks. Add the eggplant (as well as the liquid which oozed out during the chopping process) into the tomato mixture. Combine the mix and cook for 3-5 mins. Sprinkle with chili powder.

Notes:
-Add just enough oil to saute the onions well. Too much oil will ooze out of the dish when it is completed and leave it greasy.
-I bake at 500 degrees Farenheit usually for about 30 minutes when the eggplant becomes tender inside.