Author Notes
A bite-sized snack made with the popular north-indian dish of smoked eggplant & spices, rolled up in soft tortillas. Quick, a crowd pleaser, good for using those lingering bharta leftovers, works cold or hot and in all seasons. —Shuchi
Continue After Advertisement
Ingredients
- For the Bharta
-
1
large eggplant
-
2
plum tomatoes, diced
-
1
medium red onion, diced
-
1 teaspoon
fresh ginger garlic paste
-
2
green chilies, finely chopped
-
1/2 teaspoon
cumin seeds
-
1 teaspoon
cumin powder
-
1 tablespoon
coriander powder
-
1 teaspoon
garam masala
-
pinch of turmeric
-
fresh cilantro
-
Salt to taste
-
6 tablespoons
light olive oil
- For the pinwheels
-
1 cup
full-fat cream cheese (I love Philadelphia)
-
6
flour tortillas
-
1 cup
finely chopped mixed vegetables - I use mixed peppers, carrots and red onions
-
Salt & pepper to taste
Directions
-
Throw the eggplant on a direct flame, rotating regularly with a skewer, till its charred on the outside and the insides are soft and mushy. The juices should begin to drool on your gas-top (which would need a mighty scrub after!). Remove from heat and cool. Once cooled, remove the charred skin (it'll come off very easily), and mash the pulp (seeds included). Keep aside.
-
Mix the cream cheese with the chopped vegetables, salt & pepper and refrigerate while you cook your eggplant.
-
Heat oil in a non-stick pan. Add the cumin seeds and cook till they begin to splutter.
-
Add the green chilies + ginger garlic paste, and cook for a few minutes.
-
Add onions, with a pinch of salt to help them sweat, and cook till they turn translucent.
-
Now stir in the tomatoes, with all the dry spices and a few tablespoons of water. Mix well, cover and cook on medium-low till the tomatoes are cooked through, can be easily mashed with a spoon and the oil begins to separate on the sides.
-
Finally add the smoked eggplant. Mix everything well and cook covered for around 5-7 minutes, till any hard portions of the eggplant are tender.
-
Remove cover, turn heat to high, and saute for a good 2-3 minutes till all the excess liquid has been absorbed, and the oil seems from the side of the eggplant mash. Mix the fresh coriander and remove from heat.
-
To assemble, layer a tortilla with a tablespoon of cream cheese + 2-3 tablespoons of the eggplant. Roll up and cut into 2 inch circles.
-
If serving warm, keep warm in a 170F oven with a damp cloth over. Can also be served at room temperature.
-
A great smoky spicy vegetarian snack that fools many meat-lovers!
-
Notes : This eggplant dish also tastes great on toast, baguette or over steamy rice!
See what other Food52ers are saying.