Recipe: Cook this delicious baingan bharta to impress your guests
Baingan bharta, a traditional Indian vegetarian dish, is beloved for its smoky flavor and hearty texture. Originating from the Indian subcontinent, this dish is a staple in North Indian cuisine and is often enjoyed with flatbreads like naan or roti. Made from roasted eggplants mashed and cooked with aromatic spices, it's a comforting meal that warms the soul. Check out this recipe.
Gather the following ingredients
You will need one large eggplant (about 500 gm), two tablespoons of vegetable oil, one teaspoon of cumin seeds, one medium-sized finely chopped onion, two minced garlic cloves, one teaspoon of grated ginger, two chopped tomatoes, green chilies to taste (optional), half a teaspoon of turmeric powder, one teaspoon of coriander powder, salt to taste, and fresh cilantro for garnishing.
Roast to perfection
Start roasting the eggplant. Pierce the skin with a fork and roast it over an open flame or in a preheated oven at 200 degrees Celsius until the skin blackens and the inside is tender. This should take about 15-20 minutes on an open flame or up to 45 minutes in the oven. Cool before peeling off the charred skin and mashing the pulp.
Saute and add spices
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle. Then saute onions until golden brown before adding garlic and ginger. Stir in chopped tomatoes along with green chilies if using them. Cook until the tomatoes are soft and the oil begins to separate from the mixture. Sprinkle in turmeric and coriander powder along with salt to season.
Combine and cook
Fold the mashed eggplant into the pan with your aromatic base. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients well. Cook for about 8-10 minutes on medium heat until everything melds together into a rich, cohesive bharta. The key is to let it simmer so that flavors can intensify.
Garnish and serve
Finish off by garnishing your baingan bharta with freshly chopped cilantro for an added burst of color and freshness. Serve hot alongside warm flatbreads or rice for a complete meal that is both nourishing and satisfyingly delicious. Enjoy this smoky sensation straight from the heart of India's culinary tradition! Don't forget to share this recipe with your tribe!
