Ingredients
-
1 tablespoon salt
-
3 tablespoons rice bran oil (or other healthy-option oil)
-
1 teaspoon whole mustard seeds
-
1 cup sliced onion (slice each half-onion thinly, making half-moon shapes)
-
1 teaspoon ginger paste
-
4 garlic cloves, chopped finely
-
1/4-1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (depending on taste)
-
3/4 teaspoon turmeric
-
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
-
1/4 teaspoon garam masala
-
1/2 cup water
-
2 teaspoons tomato paste
-
1 tablespoon lemon juice
-
1/2 teaspoon salt
-
300 g eggplants (aka aubergine)
Instructions
- Cut the eggplants into 1-inch pieces- preferably keeping at least one side of each piece with the skin on.
- Put the eggplant pieces into a strainer and sprinkle liberally with salt. Place a small plate on top of the eggplant, and a weight on top of the plate- this process draws the excess water out of the eggplant, and it won't be overly salty. Leave for at least 30 minutes.
- Heat 1 1/2 tbsp oil in a heavy pan. When hot, add mustard seeds- they will start to pop in a few seconds. When they begin to pop, add the sliced onions, garlic and ginger. Turn the heat to medium, and cook until mixture is nicely browned.
- Add cayenne pepper, tumeric, garam masala and cumin to the onion mixture. Cook spices for a few minutes, then add water and tomato paste, and reduce heat to low. Let the sauce cook gently, but don't allow it to become dry.
- In a large skillet, heat 1 1/2 tbsp oil over moderate heat. Add eggplant pieces to the pan, and arrange in a single layer. Saute until all sides are brown and crisp.
- Once all eggplant pieces are browned, incorporate them into the sauce pan, making sure to cover all pieces with the sauce. Add lemon juice and salt.
- Cook gently until eggplant is cooked through (about 15-20 minutes). Stir occasionally (and very gently) and serve.