Indian Stuffed Eggplant Food

INDIAN STUFFED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Scoop the inside out of the eggplant halves, leaving 1/4 inch of flesh attached to the skin. Roughly chop the removed eggplant, and set the shells aside.
• Heat the ghee in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir the onion and garlic until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the coriander, vindaloo powder, chili powder, and salt; continue cooking 2 to 3 minutes until the spices are very fragrant. Stir in the chopped eggplant flesh, and cook until very soft, mashing as you go. Pour in a little water if needed to keep the eggplant from burning. Keep the mashed eggplant hot over low heat.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Deep fry the eggplant halves in the hot oil until crisp, about 5 minutes. Drain upside-down on a paper towel-lined plate. Once drained, spoon in the reserved filling, and serve hot.

INDIAN EGGPLANT - BHURTHA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven's broiler. Rub oil on the outside of the egg plant, or coat with cooking spray. Place under the broiler, and cook until the flesh is soft and the skin is blistering off, about 30 minutes. Turn as needed for even cooking. Cut the eggplant in half lengthwise, and scoop the flesh out of the skin. Discard the skin; chop up the flesh, and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the cumin seeds, and let them crackle for a few seconds and turn golden brown. Be careful not to burn them. Add the onion, ginger and garlic; cook and stir until tender. I don't let the onions get very brown. Stir in the tomato, and season with turmeric, ground cumin, ground coriander, cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper. Cook and stir for a few minutes.
• Place the eggplant pieces in the skillet, and cook for 10 to 15 minutes so some of the moisture evaporates. Taste, and adjust seasonings if desired. Garnish with fresh cilantro, and serve.

STUFFED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) ( INDIAN )

Steps:

• Make a paste of all the ingredients for the stuffing.
• Slit the eggplants from the middle into quarters such that they do not separate.
• Stuff them with the paste.
• Finely chop the onion and fry it in the oil.
• Add the remaining stuffing ( if any ) to the oil.
• Add the stuffed eggplants and add water to just to cover the top of the brinjals.
• Cover and cook for about 15 mins or till the brinjals are soft.
• Cooking time will vary depending on the size of the eggplants.

INDIAN SPICE STUFFED EGGPLANTS & POTATOES

Steps:

• Cut the top and bottom off of each baby eggplant so that they are each shaped like a cylinder.
• Using a knife, slit each eggplant cross-wise on the top of one side leaving some room at the end. Be careful to NOT slit them all the way through to the bottom of the eggplant (should be joined at the base). See images in the post.
• Using your fingers, stuff the Easy Indian Spice Blend in each of the cross-wise slits made in the eggplants and set aside.
• In a large wide non-stick pan, heat 1 teasp cooking oil on medium heat. Add the diced white onions and bell peppers and saute on medium-high heat for a few minutes until the onions start to become translucent. Set aside in bowl.
• Quickly wipe down the large non-stick pan with a wet paper towel to clean and cool it down.
• Heat the non-stick large pan again on medium heat and add 1 teasp cooking oil. Add the black mustard seeds and minced garlic and fry for ~30 seconds until the garlic starts to sizzle. Add the asafoetida (if using) and fry for a few additional seconds.
• Turn the heat to medium-low. Place each stuffed baby eggplant slit side up in the pan (or cut eggplant). Sprinkle ~2 tbsp water on top and cover. Cook on medium-low heat until the stuffed eggplants are cooked through (15-20 minutes). Stir in between a few times and add small amounts of additional water (~1 tbsp at a time) if needed to evenly cook the eggplant.
• While the eggplant is cooking, cook the potato (see notes below) so that it's tender, yet still firm. Peel, dice into large pieces, and set aside. See notes below on how to cook.
• Once the eggplant is cooked (knife should go through gently), remove the cover, add in the cooked diced potatoes, onions, and bell peppers. Gently mix and fold everything together.
• Turn the heat to medium. Sprinkle about 1/2 cups + 2 tbsp of the Easy Indian Spice Blend on top, followed by some water as needed to keep the dish from becoming dry (about 1/3-1/2 cup water slowly sprinkled in while cooking). Mix to combine and allow the dish to cook uncovered. If you are using different types of eggplant and did not stuff them with the spice mix, then sprinkle additional spice mix to taste on top.
• Add 2-3 teasp salt (as needed to taste), and some chili powder (if using for spice).
• Cook for an additional ~10 minutes, turn off the heat, and generously garnish with finely chopped cilantro.
• To serve, (1) enjoy with cooked rice, fresh roti/tortilla, or (2) sandwich the Indian Spice Stuffed Eggplants & Potatoes in between two slices of bread (I typically use sourdough or whole wheat) and press in a sandwich maker until sealed, grilled, and crispy on both sides.
• I usually choose to make option (2) above the following day with any leftovers and serve it with some ketchup (for the kids) or hot sauce.

STUFFED BABY EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Using a paring knife, cut a wedge out of each eggplant, from stem to base, just large enough to stick a spoon inside and scoop out the flesh inside. Discard the flesh you scoop out.
• Coat a large saute pan with the oil and place over medium flame. Lightly fry the eggplants on all sides, until slightly charred and blistered; remove to a platter and set aside.
• Return the pan to the heat and add the shallots and garlic, saute for 5 minutes, until soft and golden brown. Add the ground lamb to the pan and brown the meat well, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Stir in the tomatoes, combine well, and let simmer for 5 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Toss in a couple of handfuls of the parsley, the mint, and lemon juice; continue to cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let the stuffing cool slightly. Using a spoon, stuff the lamb filling into the eggplants until they feel full, but not overly packed.
• Arrange the eggplants in a single layer in a large saucepan, pour the chicken stock over them and lay the lemon slices on top of each eggplant, drizzle with some more olive oil. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, or until fork tender. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

STUFFED BABY EGGPLANT RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a baking sheet.
• Begin by cutting the eggplant in half, lengthwise, and hollowing them. I use a knife to score the flesh of the eggplant and then a spoon to scoop out the flesh. Set aside the flesh in a bowl.
• Drizzle olive oil over the hollowed baby eggplant, salt lightly and bake in a 350 degrees F preheated oven for 15 minutes.