Indian Eggplant Stew With Spiced Basmati Rice Food

EGGPLANT CURRY - SOUTH INDIAN BRINJAL CURRY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 240°C / 450°F (220°C fan). Line tray with parchment/baking paper.
• Cut eggplant into 2cm / 4/5" slices, then cut into 2cm / 4/5" batons.
• Place in large bowl, toss with oil, salt and pepper.
• Spread on tray, roast 20 minutes. Turn, roast for a further 10 minutes - edges should be caramelised, soft inside, but they're not shrivelled up and dismal. Use per recipe.
• Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add mustard seeds, let them sizzle for 15 seconds.
• Add curry leaves, stir, leave to sizzle for 15 seconds - seeds might pop, Indian cooking is very dramatic!
• Add onions, cook 5 minutes until golden brown.
• Add tomato, cook for 1 minute, stirring.
• Add garlic and ginger, cook 2 minutes.
• Add Curry Spices and salt, and cook for another 3 minutes - it will be a thick paste and might stick to the bottom of the pot, don't let it burn (if it starts to, remove from stove and quickly add splash of water to loosen).
• Stir in water, and then add the eggplant.
• Gently stir, partially cover, reduce heat to low and simmer 30 minutes. Stir carefully once or twice (so the eggplants don't break up completely), add more water if it dries out.
• Stir in coconut milk, taste then add more salt if needed.
• Your result should be a very thick, juicy, strongly flavoured curry with eggplant partially intact but half collapsed.
• Serve with basmati rice and a dollop of yogurt and fresh coriander leaves, if you want.

INDIAN EGGPLANT STEW WITH SPICED BASMATI RICE

Steps:

• For the Vegetables:.
• Heat a large soup pot over medium to high heat and add the ghee or olive oil. Add the onions and garlic, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, ginger, and hot pepper until the onions are translucent and the mustard seeds begin to pop.
• Add the eggplant and mix well so the spices and ghee are absorbed, the let it cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add the bunch of fresh spinach. There is no need to cut off the stems since many of the vitamins are found there. You can put the spinach in without chopping and it will cook down.
• Cover the stew pot for a few minutes until it cooks down and you can fit the rest of the ingredients in the pot.
• Add the tomatoes, turmeric, and salt and cook above for about 10 minutes, until spinach is soft. Add the garbanzo beans, lemon juice, and sugar, and cook for about 5 more minutes. Serve over spiced basmati rice.
• For Spiced Basmati Rice:.
• Bring water to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to low. Add the rice, ghee, and spices and mix well. Cook for 25-30 minutes then remove from the heat. Let the cooked rice sit for 5 minutes and then fluff the rice with a fork. You can also use a rice cooker to make the spiced rice.

INDIAN STYLE BASMATI RICE

Steps:

• Place rice into a bowl with enough water to cover. Set aside to soak for 20 minutes.
• Heat the oil in a large pot or saucepan over medium heat. Add the cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, cloves, and cumin seed. Cook and stir for about a minute, then add the onion to the pot. Saute the onion until a rich golden brown, about 10 minutes. Drain the water from the rice, and stir into the pot. Cook and stir the rice for a few minutes, until lightly toasted. Add salt and water to the pot, and bring to a boil. Cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for about 15 minutes, or until all of the water has been absorbed. Let stand for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork before serving.