Eggplants or aubergines are a popular vegetable throughout the subcontinent of India. This particular dish was originally cooked on charcoal res and had a unique smoky avour. Most homes however, have adopted this recipe to be cooked in the oven, or if you have the patience, on a gas ame (see Anjali’s tip). It is a wonderful accompaniment to an Indian meal.

 

Serves 6

• 3 large eggplants

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 1 teaspoon black mustard seeds

• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds

• 4 green onions, chopped

• 2 tablespoons chives, chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

• 1 teaspoon root ginger, finely chopped

• 3 green chillies, chopped (optional)

• 2 tablespoons Patak’s Madras Paste

• 2 tomatoes or 4 cherry tomatoes, chopped

• pinch of sugar

• juice of ½ lemon or lime

• 1 tablespoon coriander leaves, chopped

• salt, to taste

 

Instructions

1. Prick eggplants a few times with a fork, wrap in foil and bake in a preheated oven, moderate heat (200°C/400°F/gas 6) for 45 minutes to 1 hour. The eggplants should be ‘pulpy’. Remove from the foil together with the juices and pulp. Leave the skin on unless it is really burnt and charred.

2. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds and cumin seeds.

3. When they begin to crackle, add green onions, half the chives, garlic, ginger and green chilli and fry for a few minutes on medium heat.

4. Add Patak’s Madras Paste and sprinkle a little water so the spices don’t burn.

5. Stir well and leave to cook for a few minutes.

6. Add tomatoes, pinch of sugar and mash in the eggplants.

7. Fold in the spices, stir, cover and cook for 10 – 12 minutes.

8. Check seasoning and adjust salt. Squeeze in lemon or lime.

9. Finally sprinkle with coriander leaves and the remaining chives.

 

Anjali’s Tip

Eggplants taste amazing when they have been smoked on an open ame. If you don’t have a BBQ at hand then simply skewer through the middle and place directly on a gas ame. Turn them regularly until the skin is blistered and charred. Wrap in foil and pop in the oven to go mushy. The scents lling your kitchen will be divine.