Aloo Baingan Recipe Curried Potato Eggplant Food

ALOO BAINGAN (POTATO AND EGGPLANT)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lay out chopped eggplant on one non-stick cooking sheet and chopped potato on the other. Roast eggplant for approximately 15 minutes, until it is starting to soften but not mushy. Roast potatoes for approximately 25 minutes, until edges are starting to brown and potatoes are just cooked.
• While eggplant and potatoes are roasting, place the grated ginger, jalapeño, coriander powder, paprika, turmeric, and 2 tablespoons of water in a small bowl. Mix to make a paste.
• Heat a cast iron or nonstick pot over medium heat. Test the heat by adding one cumin seed to the pot; if seed cracks right away, the pot is heated to the right temperature.
• Add cumin seeds and asafoetida after seed cracks. Add the spice mixture and stir-fry for 20 seconds, stirring continuously.
• Add chopped tomato and stir-fry for a minute. Add tomato sauce. Mix well.
• Add roasted potatoes and eggplant. Mix gently and let it simmer for 3 to 4 minutes on medium-low heat. Taste and add salt, if needed. Turn off the heat and add chopped cilantro. Mix well. Chef's Note: Asafoetida is a spice derived from the resin extracted from a plant root. It has a pungent aroma that is very strong when raw but works as a flavor enhancer when cooked. It gives a unique flavor to most Indian dishes. It is also called "Hing," available in most Indian grocery stores.

ALOO BAINGAN SABZI

Steps:

• In a medium pot with a lid, heat 1 tbsp oil. Add the cubed potatoes and sautee over low-med heat for 8-10 minutes until they are lighly crisped and colored on the outside. Remove and set aside.
• Add another 1/2 tbsp oil, heat, then add the chopped eggplants. Saute for 7-8 minutes, then remove and set aside.
• Add another 1/2 tbsp oil to the same pan and heat. When hot, add the cumin seeds and let them turn slightly brown. Then add the ginger paste, garlic, turmeric, chili powder, coriander and 3 tbsp water. Stir to combine.
• Add the chopped tomatoes and saute for 4 minutes.
• Add the potatoes and the eggplant to the tomato base and mix well.
• Add salt and garam masala, stir to combine. Then add 1/4 cup water, combine, then bring to a simmer (covered) for 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to make sure it doesn't dry out or stick to the pan and burn.
• Remove from heat and transfer to a serving bowl. Garnish with fresh coriander (cilantro) leaves.
• Serve with rice or rotis.

VEGAN ALOO BAINGAN (POTATO AND EGGPLANT)

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a deep fry pan over medium-high heat. There should be at least 1 1/2 inches of oil in the pan. Make sure it is quite hot by dropping in a potato piece. If the potato begins to sizzle immediately then the oil is ready. If you start frying too soon the vegetables will absorb the oil and become greasy and unpleasant.
• Fry the potatoes until cooked through, turning several times - about 4 minutes. Remove them with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel lined platter.
• In the same manner, fry the eggplant in batches until it is all cooked and draining.
• In a small bowl mix the ginger, chili, coriander powder, turmeric powder, paprika and water to make a paste.
• Heat the tablespoon of water in a large fry pan. Test the heat by throwing in one cumin seed. If the seed crack and begins to sizzle right away, the oil is ready.
• Add the cumin seeds and ginger paste mixture and stir fry until you see the oil beginning to rise to the top of the paste.
• Add in the chopped tomatoes and cook until they begin to reduce. Add the salt. Return the eggplant and potatoes to the pan, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 3 or 4 minutes.
• Sprinkle chopped cilantro over all and serve.