Goan Spiced Aubergines Food

WEST INDIAN SPICED AUBERGINE CURRY

Steps:

• Mix the dry spices and 1 tsp salt together in a bowl and set aside.
• Slice the aubergine into 1cm rounds, then score both sides of each round with the tip of a sharp knife. Rub with the spice mix until well coated (you should use all of the mix), then transfer to a board. Put 150ml water in the empty spice bowl with the tomato purée, chilli, ginger and sugar. Set aside.
• Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and arrange the aubergine in the pan, overlapping the rounds if needed. Fry for 5 mins on each side, or until golden. Add the liquid mix from the bowl, bring to a simmer, cover and cook for 15-20 mins, turning the aubergine occasionally until it's cooked through. If it seems dry, you may need to add up to 100ml more water to make it saucier. Season.
• Scatter over the spring onions and coriander, and serve with rice, yogurt, roti and lime wedges for squeezing over.

BRINJAL EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) PICKLE (GOA, INDIA)

Steps:

• Julianne or dice small brinjal-eggplant.
• Layer brinjal with salt alternately. Let stand 4-5 hours till water separates from vegetable.
• Squeeze in handfuls brinjal till water is removed. Keep in separate bowl.
• Grind ginger and garlic in some of the vinegar to paste.
• Heat oil till smoke starts rising. Fry brinjals two hand fulls at a time. Drain with slotted spoon and set aside. Wait for water to evaporate from oil, till the bubbles stop before frying another lot of brinjal.
• Add and fry garlic and ginger paste for 5 minutes.
• Add dry spices, fry 2 minutes.
• Add vinegar and tamarind, mix well for 1 minute.
• Add curry leaves and sugar, mix well.
• Add brinjal mix well and cook 1-2 minutes.
• Cool and bottle.

GOAN SPICED CRAB CAKES, PAPPADUMS, AVOCADO AND TAMARIND

Steps:

• In a large saute pan, heat one tablespoon of the corn oil. Add the onion, ginger and garlic and saute for 5 minutes over medium heat. Add the coriander, cumin, turmeric and the tomato and continue to cook until it turns dry. Remove from the heat and cool down. In a large mixing bowl, combine crabmeat, the cooled onion mixture, shrimp, lime zest and juice, cilantro, chives, beaten egg and 3 tablespoons of the panko. Season with salt, pepper and cayenne. Mix well so that all the ingredients are well incorporated. Test a small quantity by forming a teaspoon of this mix into a small patty and frying it in a pan. Adjust the salt and pepper if necessary. Divide this mixture into 4 equal portions. Form into balls and flatten to form small patties. Put the rest of the panko on a cutting board. Place the patties one at a time in the bread crumbs. Heat a heavy bottomed skillet large enough to hold the crab cakes on medium heat. Add the oil and fry the crab cakes. When the cakes turn a light golden color, flip them over and cook them on the other side until they are light golden in color. Using a slotted spatula, remove and drain on a paper towel Take 4 large plates and place the baby greens in the centers and a pappadum on top of the greens. Fill each pappadum with a scoop of avocado salad and top with a crab cake. Spoon the tamarind around the plate.
• In a large bowl, combine the diced avocado with the juice and the zest of the lime. Add the tomatoes, onion and cilantro. Mix well, taking care not to smash the avocado and the tomatoes. Next add the cumin, cayenne, salt, pepper, extra virgin olive oil and sugar. Taste and season if necessary. Refrigerate until ready to use or at least two hours.

SPICED AUBERGINE BAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Generously brush each aubergine slice with vegetable oil and place in a single layer on a baking tray, or two if they don't fit on one. Cook on the low shelves for 10 mins, then turn over and cook for a further 5-10 mins until they are golden. Reduce the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.
• Heat the coconut oil in a large, heavy-based frying pan and add the onions. Cover and sweat on a low heat for about 5 mins until softened. Add the garlic, mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, garam masala, chilli powder, cinnamon stick, cumin and ground coriander. Cook for a few secs until it starts to smell beautiful and aromatic.
• Pour the chopped tomatoes and coconut milk into the spiced onions and stir well. Check the seasoning and add a little sugar, salt or pepper to taste.
• Spoon a third of the tomato sauce on the bottom of a 2-litre ovenproof dish. Layer with half the aubergine slices. Spoon over a further third of tomato sauce, then the remaining aubergine slices, and finish with the rest of the sauce. Sprinkle over the flaked almonds and coriander (if using), reserving some to serve, and bake for 25-30 mins. Serve garnished with more coriander.

AUBERGINE PICKLE

Steps:

• Put the onions, ginger and oil in a large saucepan and gently cook for 15 mins until soft. Stir in the spices and curry leaves and fry for a few mins, then add the tomato purée and tamarind and fry for a few mins more.
• Stir in the aubergines, raisins, sugar and vinegar. Heat gently until the sugar has dissolved, then simmer for 20 mins until the chutney has thickened. Leave for 10 mins, then spoon into sterilised jars and seal. The pickle can be eaten straight away and keeps for up to 6 months.