Vangyache Bharit/Baigan Bharta/ Spicy, Roasted Eggplant

Ingredients

1 big eggplant, 1 medium size onion (chopped), 2 green chilies (chopped), 2 garlic cloves (crushed), 2 tbsp. goda masala/ black maharashtrain masala, 1 tbsp chili powder, pinch of turmeric powder, 2 tbsp peanut powder, 4-5 tbsp oil, cilantro/coriander leaves for garnishing.

For tempering/tadka : pinch of mustard seeds, jeera/cumin seeds, pinch of hing/asafoetida, curry leaves.

How to make

• Brush a layer of oil on the surface of the eggplant.
• Wrap the eggplant in aluminum foil .
• Preheat the oven to about 450 F and bake the eggplant for 30 min. Rotate the eggplant often to roast it evenly.
• When eggplant is fully roasted, remove it from the oven.
• Let it cool for some time and remove the skin.
• Take a mixing bowl and mash the eggplant.
• Now add peanut powder, goda masala, salt to taste.
• Keep it aside.
• Heat oil in a frying pan and add mustard seeds, jeera seeds followed by hing/ asafetida.
• Add green chilies, crushed garlic, curry leaves.
• Add onion and fry till onion turns transparent or pink.
• Add turmeric powder, fry for few seconds.
• Turn off the heat.
• Pour the contents of the frying pan into the mixing bowl.
• Mix it well. Garnish with cilantro and delicious baingan bharta is ready to serve..
• Serve with chapatti or Bhakari.

Tip - Charcoal can be use instead of oven.

If you don’t have goda masala/ black Maharashtraian masala in your pantry, use 1 tbsp coriander powder and ½ tbsp cumin powder.