One long look into my refrigerator reminded me that a visit to the grocery store was overdue. For all I had in stock were two brinjals(eggplant) and I was very lazy to make an elaborate recipe from any cook book .That’s when the Chef in me, awakened to experiment & innovate a quick fix dish. I gave it my best shot and the result was worth the try, we relished it with dosas for dinner.
When Jean Anthelme, the epicurean and gastronome, stated “The discovery of a new dish does more for the happiness of the human race than the discovery of a star,” he truly understood the powerful hold food had over the human mind and heart.
Yes! Food today, is more than a haphazardly thrown-together creation by us, to fulfil the rudimentary purpose of sating our hunger.
Well, the Brinjal Saar (Eggplant Gravy) recipe is my discovery dish that filled me with happiness, which I would like to hand over from my kitchen to yours. Happy cooking!
Ingredients:
- 2 Onions (chopped for grinding)
- 2 Tomatoes (chopped for puree)
- 2 Brinjal (Cut in four) – I used the medium sized ones; the same dish can be prepared even with the small brinjals.
- 1/2 tsp Garam Masala/Curry Powder
- 1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder
- 1/2 tsp Cumin Powder
- 1/2 tsp Coriander Powder
- 3/4 tsp Ginger-Garlic paste
- Pepper (As per spice required)
- Salt to Taste.
For the Garnish, I used dry pudina(mint) leaves and Indian Pennywort(Brahmamanduki), if these ingredients are not available garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
Method:
- Grind onion to a fine paste.
- In a pan with oil, sauté onion till brown.
- Add ginger – garlic paste and fry.
- Then add tomato puree, continue to stir fry adding the rest of the ingredients except brinjal(eggplant).
- When the stirred masala emanates a flavoured aroma, add the chopped brinjal(eggplant).
- Add water (as per quantity of gravy required) and boil till brinjal(eggplant) is well cooked.
- Garnish with dried pudina(mint)leaves and Indian Pennywort(Brahmamanduki)* or garnish chopped cilantro leaves.
*To know about the healing power and curative properties of Indian Pennywort check out the article under ‘Herbs that Heal’.