Eggplant Punjabi Style Food

THE BEST BAINGAN BHARTA

Steps:

• Put the whole eggplant directly over a moderate flame on a gas stove or grill. Cook, turning it every couple of minutes with metal tongs, until charred all over and the flesh is completely soft, about 10 minutes.
• Wait until the eggplant is cool enough to handle then peel off the skin and discard--don't worry if little bits of skin remain. Remove and discard the stem, coarsely chop the flesh and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring and scraping the bottom of the skillet occasionally, until softened with just a hint of color, about 10 minutes. Add the chiles and cook, stirring occasionally, until the raw smell goes away, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 8 minutes. Add the eggplant and cilantro and cook, stirring occasionally, until well mixed and the flavors have melded, about 3 minutes. Adjust salt to taste and serve hot.

BAINGAN BHARTA

Steps:

• Prick the eggplant with a thin-blade knife. Grill over or next to very high heat, turning as necessary until the skin is blackened and the eggplant collapses. Or broil, or roast on a heated cast-iron pan in the hottest possible oven. It will take about 20 minutes.
• When the eggplant is cool enough to handle, peel (this will be easy) and trim away the hard stem. Chop or mash in a bowl, with lime juice.
• Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat; add the onion. Cook, stirring often, until the onion is golden brown, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and chiles and cook for another minute. Add the tomato, turmeric and salt. Cook until the tomato is soft, 5 minutes or so.
• Stir in the eggplant purée and cook, stirring, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the cilantro and garam masala and turn off the heat. Serve hot with warm chapati bread or pita, or over rice.