Bangen Bharta (Eggplant Mashed) Recipe

Normally, eggplant is baked in a Tandoor or roasted on open fire. The finished has the consistency of a spread.

In Hindi Bangen is Eggplant and Bharta means mashed. My late grandfather used to call eggplant as a king of the vegetable patch, fat and happy with a green crown, without any merit. Ban-gun also means 'without merit' in Hindi.

Ingredients

Prepare Vegetables

1. Eggplant: 1 Large
2. Onions medium to large: 1
3. Tomatoes large: 1
4. Garlic cloves: 3

5. Ginger: ¾"

Cooking

1. Canola oil: 2 Tablespoons

2. Salt: ½ Tablespoon

3. Cayenne Pepper: 1 teaspoon

4.Cumin powder: 1 teaspoon
5. Coriander powder: 1 teaspoon
6. Fenugreek seed powder: ¼ teaspoon

Simmer /Rest

1. Amchoor (Mango Powder): ¼ teaspoon

2. Garam Masala Standard Frying Punjabi: 1½ teaspoon

Method

Step 1: Prepare vegetables

Eggplant: Wash egg plant and rub the skin with a dab of oil. The oil helps the eggplant roast evenly.

Onions: Chop coarsely about ½" squares

Tomatoes: Wash, remove core and chop.

Ginger: Peel and chop

Garlic: Peel and mince

Step 2 Roast Egg plant

Prick the skin of the eggplant with a fork. Put in a plate. Cover it with Plastic film. Microwave at high for 5 minutes. Microwave again at 30% power for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven. With a sharp knife, remove the green crown. Remove the skin if desired. I leave the skin on. The plate will have some juices from the eggplant. Don't discard the juices. Mash the eggplant with a fork and juices into a pulp. You may add one Tablespoon of water to assist you in mashing. You want a smooth paste.

Step 3: Cook

1. Heat oil in a heavy bottom pan.

2. Add and onions, salt, and cayenne pepper. Sauté till onions are clear. About 4 minutes

3. Add minced garlic and ginger. Fry 1 minute

4. Add Cumin Coriander, and Fenugreek powder. Fry one minute

5. Add chopped tomatoes. Fry together till oil starts to separate (about 3 minutes).

6. Add mashed egg plant. Stir and sauté on medium heat till oil starts to separate or the mixtures seems oily and shiny. 4 minutes

Step 4

Rest

Stir in Amchoor and Garam Masala. Simmer covered 2 minutes. Shut off heat.