Baingan Bharta
After the excursion to Flavors Indian restaurant I decided I could no longer go without the mashed eggplant-y goodness of Baingan Bharta and felt so inclined to make my own.
According to Wikepedia “Baingan Bartha or Baingan ka Bartha is a predominantly Pakistani and North Indian Punjabi vegetarian dish made from eggplant, which is grilled over charcoal or direct fire to impart a smoky flavour to the flesh of the eggplant and then cooked with spices and vegetables.”
I set out on my adventure of making my recipe and since I didn’t have the green chilli I substituted with an entire can of Rotel with habanero because that’s all I had on hand.
Now mind you, I love super hot and spicy food, but this was at the nuclear level. I could have sold it to the Department of Defense for a hefty profit to use in warfare.
I got some of it down but it about killed me so obviously almost a can if habanero is a bad substitute in this dish. In addition, I surmise that in the restaurant they must use a lot of ghee, which is an Indian clarified butter, because mine did not taste as buttery.
(It was still pretty though so I had to still take a photo)
I love curried eggplant. I have been craving Indian food. And your dish looks beautiful and even your claims of super hot spice are not sending me astray. Have you considered thinning out you dish with more ingredients and/or mixing in some sour cream or plain yogurt?
Or maybe it is just beyond salvageable.
it looks lovely
Your picture is wonderful, and I regularly crave eggplant, so I feel ya on that one. You live and learn with the habinero. Hopefully with no tears!
Wow, an entire can! I would definitely try again–it looks beautiful!
Oh my, positively salivating here. It reminds me of a dish my mother cooks where she roasts/grills the eggplant over a flame, then peels it and mashes it up with mustard oil, chopped green chillies and onions, salt and cilantro. A can of habanero…I love spicy hot, but that would kill me too
I love curried eggplant and I've never tried to make it at home.
It sounds good in theory! Do you think you'll try again, with less spice next time?
I'm not sure if I will try it again. It was pretty easy but there are so many other recipes I want to make. I just don'w know….
Just found your blog and I'm so excited about it! These wraps look sooo good!
-Mini B.