Baingan Masala

Baingan Masala - A very popular all-time favourite recipe. 

Ingredients -

3 long brinjals (if you don't get long brinjals use the regular ones)

2 onions

2 tomatoes

3 green chillies

5-6 garlic cloves

1/2 inch ginger

1 star anise

2 inch cinnamon stick

1 bay leaf

2 cardamom

4 pepper corns

2 cloves

1/2 spoon coriander seeds

1/2 spoon mustard seeds

1/2 spoon cumin seeds

1/2 cup grated coconut

1/4 teapoon turmeric powder

1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder

Salt

Sunflower oil/Sesame oil

Coriander leaves

Method - 

1. Dry roast coriander seeds, cumin seeds, star anise, cardamon, cinnamon, pepper, cloves, garlic, ginger and grated coconut for about 4-5mins and keep it aside so that it cools down completely.

2. Next finely chop the onions, tomatoes and green chillies. Cut the brinjals into big pieces. 

3. Take a pan pour oil into it, once the oil is hot add the mustard seeds and allow it to splutter, now add the onions and green chilli and saute it till the onions changes colour to slight brown. At this stage add tomatoes and saute it till it becomes mushy and then add the brinjal pieces, turmeric powder, chilly powder and salt, stir the vegetables once and allow it to cook for about 5mins.

4. Next take a mixer jar add all the dry roasted ingredients, add 1 cup water and grind it into a thick smooth paste.

5. Once the brinjals are cooked add the grounded paste and add garam masala powder and allow it to cook for about 6-7mins.

6. Garnish it with finely chopped coriander leaves and switch off the flame.

Note: you can serve Baingan Masala with roti, butter Naan, steamed rice or dosa.