Shahi Baingan (Eggplant in Spicy tomato-almond sauce)

Blogging Marathon# 31: Week 3/ Day 2
Theme: Main Course
Dish: Shahi Baingan with Bagara Rice

Being a eggplant lover I thought this 'Main Course' theme for BM# 31 will be incomplete without an eggplant dish. So here I am with a very fancy Baingan/ Eggplant curry that goes well with plain or spiced rice or even rotis. I actually made this curry way back in April to go with the Pressure cooker Bagara rice and it is now time for this post to see the light (of your computer).

I wanted to make a different masala base for the eggplants I had on hand and came across this recipe at Daily Musings by Indosungod. It sounded spicy, creamy and delicious. I made a few changes to fit my pantry needs and this turned out excellent.

Ingredients:

Eggplants - 10-12 small Indian variety (make a '+' on the rear end and leave them whole) or 3 medium Japanese (chopped into 2" pieces)

Red onion - 1 medium, chopped

Red Chili powder - 1tsp (adjust as per taste)

Ground Coriander - 1tsp

Ground Cumin - ½tsp
Turmeric - ½tsp
Almond butter - 2tbsp (if you don't have this, soak 2tbsp almonds in warm water and then grind it to a smooth paste)
Salt - to taste
Cilantro - 2tbsp, finely chopped

For Masala paste:
Red onion - 1 small, chopped
Garlic cloves - 4-5
Ginger - 2" piece
Plum Tomatoes - 2-3 medium, chopped

Method:

• Heat 2tsp oil in a saute pan and add all the ingredients for masala paste. Cook on medium flame until onions turn translucent and tomatoes are mushy. Cool for a little bit and then grind this to a smooth paste.
• Heat 2tbsp oil in a pan, add onions and cook until lightly browned around the edges. Add eggplants and cook covered until they start to get tender, about 10-12 minutes.
• Add chili powder, ground coriander, cumin, turmeric and cook for 1 minute.
• Next add the ground masala, almond butter and salt. Add water if the gravy seems too thick. Cover and cook for another 5-7 minutes until eggplants are completely cooked. 
• Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve.

Lets check out what my fellow marathoners have cooked up today for BM# 31.