Smoky Spiced Mashed Eggplant
Smoky Spiced Mashed Eggplant, also known as Baingan Bharta, is a beloved Indian dish that features roasted eggplant infused with aromatic spices and yogurt. The eggplant is first charred to bring out its natural smokiness, then blended with cumin, ginger, and garlic, creating a rich and flavorful mix. This dish pairs beautifully with naan or steamed rice, making it a comforting choice for any meal. Customize the heat level by adjusting the amount of finely chopped jalapeño, allowing you to craft the perfect balance of flavors to suit your palate. This dish is not only delightful but also nutritious, making it a wonderful addition to your culinary repertoire.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
eggplant
1 large (roasted, peeled, and chopped)
vegetable oil
2 tablespoons (for cooking)
cumin seed
1 teaspoon (whole)
onion
1 medium (thinly sliced)
ginger paste
1/2 tablespoon (for flavor)
garlic paste
1/2 tablespoon (for flavor)
curry powder
1 1/2 teaspoons (for seasoning)
tomato
1 (diced)
plain nonfat yogurt
1/2 cup (for creaminess)
fresh jalapeno pepper
1 (finely chopped)
salt
1 teaspoon (to taste)
cilantro
1/4 bunch (chopped for garnish)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).
2
Place the eggplant on a medium baking sheet and roast it in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes, or until it becomes tender and charred.
3
Once roasted, remove the eggplant from the oven and allow it to cool slightly. Peel the skin off, chop the flesh, and set it aside.
4
In a medium saucepan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and allow them to sizzle for about 30 seconds.
5
Add the thinly sliced onion to the pan and sauté until soft and translucent, stirring frequently.
6
Stir in the ginger paste, garlic paste, and curry powder, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant.
7
Add the diced tomatoes to the mixture and continue cooking until they soften and break down.
8
Reduce the heat to low, then mix in the plain yogurt, stirring until incorporated.
9
Gently fold in the roasted and chopped eggplant along with the finely chopped jalapeño, seasoning the mixture with salt to taste.
10
Cover the saucepan and let the mixture cook on high heat for 10 minutes to meld the flavors.
11
After 10 minutes, remove the cover, reduce the heat to low, and let it cook for an additional 5 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
12
For a vibrant finish, garnish with freshly chopped cilantro before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main ingredient of Smoky Spiced Mashed Eggplant?
The main ingredient is one large eggplant, which is roasted, peeled, and chopped.
What is another name for this dish?
This dish is also commonly known as Baingan Bharta in Indian cuisine.
At what temperature should the oven be set to roast the eggplant?
The oven should be preheated to 450°F (232°C).
How long does it take to roast the eggplant?
The eggplant should be roasted for 20 to 30 minutes until it becomes tender and charred.
What should I do with the eggplant after roasting it?
Allow it to cool slightly, then peel off the skin and chop the flesh.
How many ingredients are used in this recipe?
There are 12 ingredients in this recipe.
What kind of oil is recommended for cooking?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
How are the cumin seeds prepared?
One teaspoon of whole cumin seeds should be sizzled in oil for about 30 seconds.
How should the onion be prepared?
One medium onion should be thinly sliced and sautéed until soft and translucent.
What aromatics are used in paste form?
The recipe uses 1/2 tablespoon each of ginger paste and garlic paste.
What spice provides the main seasoning?
The dish is seasoned with 1 1/2 teaspoons of curry powder.
How many tomatoes are needed?
One diced tomato is added to the mixture and cooked until it softens.
What adds creaminess to the dish?
1/2 cup of plain nonfat yogurt is mixed in to provide creaminess.
How do I add heat to the recipe?
The heat is added by including one finely chopped fresh jalapeño pepper.
Can I adjust the spiciness of this dish?
Yes, you can customize the heat level by adjusting the amount of finely chopped jalapeño used.
What is the final garnish for this dish?
The dish is finished with a garnish of 1/4 bunch of freshly chopped cilantro.
What are the serving suggestions?
This dish pairs beautifully with naan or steamed rice.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, it is specifically tagged as a vegetarian dish.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe is gluten-free.
Is this recipe nut-free?
Yes, this recipe is nut-free.
How long do you cook the mixture while covered?
The saucepan should be covered and the mixture cooked on high heat for 10 minutes.
What is the final cooking step?
After cooking covered, remove the cover and let it cook on low heat for an additional 5 minutes.
Why is the eggplant charred during roasting?
Charring the eggplant brings out its natural smokiness, which is a key flavor of the dish.
When do you add the ginger and garlic paste?
Stir them in after the onions are soft and translucent, cooking for one minute until fragrant.
What should the tomatoes do during cooking?
The tomatoes should be cooked until they soften and break down into the mixture.
What heat level is used when adding the yogurt?
The heat should be reduced to low before mixing in the plain yogurt.
Is this dish considered healthy?
Yes, the recipe description notes that it is delightful and nutritious.
What should I do to prevent the mixture from sticking?
You should stir the mixture occasionally during the final 5 minutes of cooking.
What type of yogurt should I use?
The recipe specifies plain nonfat yogurt.
How much salt is recommended?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of salt, or you can season to taste.