Roasted Eggplant Tomato Relish (Biagan Bharta Ingredients
1 stephen ceideburg
1 medium eggplants (1 pound)
1/2 tsp + tb mild vegetable oil
1/4 tsp mustard seeds
1/4 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/8 tsp turmeric
1 fresh hot green chile, minced
1/2 cup peeled, chopped tomato
1/4 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
1/2 tsp sugar
1 chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
Roasted Eggplant Tomato Relish (Biagan Bharta Directions
This expensive restaurant dish is easy to make at home. Although it is
found in both northern and southern India, it is prepared very
differently in each region. The following recipe is the northern
version.
Brush eggplant all over with 1/2 teaspoon oil. Preheat the broiler,
prepare a charcoal grill or place the eggplant directly over a gas
burner. Cook, turning occasionally, until the skin is completely
charred and the pulp is soft, about 30 minutes. Let cool briefly.
Slit open and scoop pulp out onto a cutting board. Chop coarsely.
Heat remaining oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add
mustard and cumin. When seeds pop (takes about 1 minute), add onion,
turmeric and chile. Stir and cook 2 to 3 minutes. Add tomato,
eggplant and curry powder. Reduce heat to medium, cover and cook,
stirring occasionally, about 6 minutes. Season to taste with salt and
sugar. Garnish with cilantro.
Serve warm or at room temperature.
Variation: In southern India, eggplant is roasted, peeled and allowed
to cool. Yogurt (about 1 cup per 1-pound eggplant) is stirred in to
make a creamy mixture, then the dish is seasoned with turmeric,
mustard and plenty of fresh curry leaves. It is served as a cooling
salad alongside spicy dishes.
PER SERVING: 155 calories, 3 g protein, 20 g carbohydrate, 9 g fat (1
g saturated), 0 mg cholesterol, 548 mg sodium, 7 g fiber.
Laxmi Hiremath writing in the San Francisco Chronicle, 6/24/93.
Serves: 2
Roasted Eggplant Tomato Relish (Biagan Bharta Recipe
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