Blog Anniversary - Baingan Bharta

today is my one year blogiversary! it's hard to believe i have been doing this for a whole year. wow. in 365 days i have put up 304 posts. this blog is not currently where i want it to be, but i am still enjoying doing it and there are still a few people reading.

in celebration of one year, i conducted my first attempt to re-create one of my favorite indian dishes - . i find myself ordering this when i am overwhelmed by the usually large indian restaurant menus. it proved to be fairly easy to make and a turned out to be quite pleased with the results. even E, not a lover of eggplant, liked this dish. i served it on top of a little brown rice (to absorb a little of the spiciness) and some of trader joe's garlic naan.

this dish was a perfect way to use up some of my csa goods. i used some onions and 5 skinny eggplants. i couldn't find indian peppers so i used poblano chili peppers and they seemed to work perfectly. of course, this isn't quite the real thing but i will be making it again and enjoying the leftovers.

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Baingan Bharta
serves 6

2 cups eggplant
2 tbs olive oil
2 onions, finely chopped
2 poblano peppers, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbs ginger, minced
1 tbs ground cumin 
1 tsp chili powder
1 tbs coriander powder
1 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp tumeric powder
28 oz crushed tomatoes
1/2 lime
salt to taste

grill eggplant over grill or gas stove until blackened. transfer to bowl and cover with plastic. let sit.

meanwhile, heat oil in pan over medium heat. add chopped onions, peppers, garlic, and ginger (i throw these in the food processor separately until desired texture).

saute until tender.

add spices and cook 1 minute.

add tomato and stir well. all some salt and simmer, covered on low for 10 minutes.

meanwhile, peel cooled eggplant. the skin should come off easily now. mash well, or blend in food processor.

add to pot and continue to simmer, covered, for 30 minutes. add salt as necessary to taste. add juice of half a lime before serving.

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i honor of my one year anniversary of blogging, i will be having a giveaway this week. stay tuned and thanks for reading:)