Baghare Baingan

Ingredients

250 grams small brinjals
2 medium onions, quartered
1 1/2 tsp coriander seeds
1 1/2 tbsp sesame seeds
2 tbsp peanuts
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
3/4 tsp poppy seeds
1 tbsp grated dried coconut
a pinch of fenugreek seeds
1 inch ginger, roughly chopped
6-8 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
salt to taste
a pinch of turmeric powder
1/2 tsp red chilli powder
1/2 tsp grated jaggery or sugar
2 tbsp tamarind pulp
1/2 cup olive oil
1 sprig curry leaves
fresh coriander leaves to garnish

Preparation
Wash brinjals and wipe them clean with dry cloth. Make slit along the length taking care that the brinjal is held together at the stem. In a wide pan, add 2-4 tbsp oil and fry the brinjals till half cooked and soft from inside. Take care not to toss them too much as they tend to break. Set aside. In a pan add 1 tsp oil and roast the onions till they turn light brown and soften. Set aside. Dry roast coriander seeds, sesame seeds, peanuts, cumin seeds, poppy seeds, dried coconut and fenugreek seeds separately, till they begin to change colour and give out a nice aroma. Grind together roasted onions, roasted spices, ginger, garlic, salt turmeric powder, chilli powder and jaggery to a fine paste (2-3 tbsp water can be added to make the paste). Add tamarind pulp and mix well.

In a pan add 2-3 tbsp oil , add curry leaves and saute. Add the gravy to the pan and slighty bring to boil till the oil comes out of the gravy. Add the brinjals to this and simmer. If the gravy is too thick, water can be added as desired. Cook till the oil comes to the surface, garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot. If you feel the gravy is too sweet, you can add some more red chilli powder or green chillies and some extra tamarind pulp!

This recipe is inspired from Chef Sanjeev Kapoor.
When ever I cook brinjals directly in any gravy base they never get cooked from inside. So I made some changes and precooked the brinjals and added them to the gravy.
Sending this recipe to "I must make that " Contest hosted by my very dear friend Pallavi of "A cook at Heart". She also has an amazing giveaway from Cuponation!