Baigan Bharta /Smoky Brinjal Mash

Smoky brinjals mashed and  cooked with tomato and Indian spices-a North Indian speciality


Baigan bharta is a classic North Indian speciality. Baigan means brinjal and bharta means mashed.Bringals are grilled over charcoal or in a tandoor and  then the peeled flash is cooked with tomato,fresh herbs and mild spices.The smoky rustic flavour is its speciality.Every region have its own twist and version of making this dish.You can also make bharta by grilling the brinjal in an oven or cooking it in microwave ,but you will get the authentic smoky flavour only by grilling  it on open direct flame.

INGREDIENTS-
preparation time-10 min
cooking time-10 min
serve-6

• Brinjals-1 kg*
• Tomatoes-3
• Green chilies-4
• Ginger-2 inch
• Fresh coriandar-2 tbsp
• Cumin seeds-1 tsp
• Chili powder-1 tsp
• Turmeric-1/3 tsp
• Salt-1 tsp
• Cloves-3
• Garam masala-1/2 tsp
• Cooking oil-4 tbsp

PROCEDURE-

1. Smear little oil on the brinjals and make 3 slits on each and stuff 2 cloves  and some asafoetida in the slits.
2. Place them directly on the gas stove burner and roast on medium flame,keep turning and rotating it so all the side get cooked evenly and properly.
3. Cook till it become soft and the skin looks charred and shrinked and start peeeling off.
4. Remove the cloves and dip the roasted brinjals in a bowl of water and peel off the skin completely and discard it, and then mash the pulp completely with a fork or chop finely.
5. Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds,when they start crackling add the green chiles(slit lengthwise)
6. Saute for few seconds and then add turmeric powder,chili powder,salt and chopped Ginger and chopped tomatoes.
7. Cover and cook for 4-5 minutes or till tomatoe become soft.
8. Now add mashed brinjals,mix and cover and cook again for approx 3 minutes.keep stirring in between
9. Add garam masala powder and fresh coriander and mix well
10. Garnish with ginger juliennes and serve hot.

Serving suggestions-serve as a side dish with chapati rice and daal or use as a spread for toasted breads.

MY NOTES-
1-Select fresh, big, and  fleshy brinjals for making bharta.
2-Choose the brinjals which are light in weight in comparison to the size ,don't buy heavy brinjals.
3-Don't remove the stems before roasting,stems help in rotating the brinjal.
4-you can also use mustard oil in it if you like the flavour.