Brinjal Masala Curry

                                                            

Brinjal or more commonly known "Baingan" is a native of India. They come in varying colours of purple..

Whenever I go to the greengrocer, this brightly coloured vegetable always catches my attention, but I always end up making the very usual Baingan masala.. This time, I thought, why not give it a TWIST.. :)

The result, I came up with a new spicy recipe--the "Brinjal Masala Curry".. My family just loved it.. This goes well with Chappati / Naan.

Ingredients:

1. Brinjal - 4/5 medium size
2. Onion - 1 medium size - halved and sliced
3. Green chilly - 2 chopped
4. Tomato - 1 medium chopped.
5. Garlic - 1 clove chopped
6. Tarmarind - half of a gooseberry size
7. Coconut milk - 1/2 cup
8. Fenugreek seeds - 1/4 tsp
9. Curry leaves- a handful
10. Chilly powder - 1/2 tsp
11. Corriander powder - 1 tsp
12. Eastern chicken masala powder - 1 tsp
13. Turmeric -1/4 tsp
14. Coconut oil- 4 tbsp
15. Salt as required

Preparation Method:

First soak the tarmarind in 1/2 cup water. Next wash and slice the brinjals into thin circles. Add 1/4 tsp chilly powder, 1/4 tsp turmeric (apart from what is mentioned above) and a pinch of salt to the sliced brinjals, mix it well.

Heat 2 tbsp of coconut oil in a frying pan and fry the brinjal slices on both sides till it turns light brown and crisp. Keep aside.

Take a wok or sauce pan and heat 2 tbsp coconut oil. Add the fenugreek seeds, saute, add the sliced onions, green chilly,curry leaves and 1/2 tsp salt. Saute it well, till the onions start turning light brown...Now add the chopped tomatoes and saute well again. When the tomatoes get half cooked, add the chilly, corriander, turmeric and the chicken masala powder. Saute well again until the oil begins to seperate.

Now add 1 cup of water and bring to boil. Add the strained tarmarind pulp and check the salt. Keep on low flame till the onion gets cooked and the gravy starts thickening. Add the coconut milk, mix well and last add the fried brinjal slices. Mix it carefully, taking care not to smash the brinjal slices.

Simmer for another 2 mins.. Remove from flame..

Serve with it hot with Roti/ Naan...enjoy the spicy ' Brinjal Masala Curry '  :)