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Cook time
35 minutes
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Serves
4
Author Notes
I could not believe it when I I tasted this eggplant bharta that my Aunt Lakshmi had made. It's a traditional Indian dish, but it had no, (absolutely NO) spices or spice blends added, other than turmeric (which is simply for the color rather than flavor). Except for fresh ginger and green chilies to give the dish a bit of flavor, it seemed so improbable that I had to try it for myself. This time I substituted finely minced serranos and fire-roasted poblano chiles, which boosted the smoky quotient a notch. —Panfusine
Test Kitchen Notes
The smoky flavor of the charred eggplant and poblano peppers plays nicely against the sweetness of the tomatoes. This veggie dish is a perfect starter or side dish utilizing summer's bounty and cooking outdoors on a grill keeps the kitchen cool. —Diane Hartford
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Ingredients
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2
medium Italian or white eggplants
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2 to 3
poblano chiles
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3 tablespoons
olive oil, plus extra for the vegetables
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1 to 2 tablespoons
finely minced fresh ginger root
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1 cup
finely sliced or diced red onion
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1 1/2 cups
finely chopped tomatoes
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1/4 teaspoon
turmeric
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1 pinch
salt, to taste
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1/2 cup
chopped cilantro, divided
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1 tablespoon
lime juice (1/2 a lime)
Directions
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Rub the eggplants with a bit of oil, puncture them to enable steam to escape, and grill them over a gas flame or grill until the skin is charred and they're cooked through.
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Rub the poblanos with oil and place over a grill basket and grill them over a gas flame as well until the skin gets charred. Set the eggplant and poblanos aside to cool while you slice the onions and mincing the ginger.
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Peel the charred skin off the eggplant and poblanos and mash them together into a pulp.
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Heat the oil and add the minced ginger. Sauté for a minute and add the onions to fry until they become translucent. Add the tomatoes and cook down until thick.
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Add the salt and turmeric, give it a stir, and then add the mashed eggplant/poblano mixture. Add half of the chopped cilantro. Stir, cover, and simmer on a low heat for about 10 to 15 minutes until the flavors of the ingredients combine. Check every couple of minutes to see if there is sufficient moisture. (If not, sprinkle in some water and cover again).
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Transfer to a serving dish, drizzle with lime juice, and garnish with the remaining cilantro. Serve warm with pita bread or Indian roti.
A biomedical engineer/ neuroscientist by training, currently a mommy blogger on a quest for all things food - Indian Palate, Global perspective!
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