Roasted Eggplant in Tomato Sauce (Baigan Bharta)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

2. Prick each eggplant with a fork in two or three places. On a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil, arrange the eggplants. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the eggplants are tender and the skin begins to char. Let cool. Carefully peel away and discard the skin. Chop the pulp coarsely and set aside.

3. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil. Add the onions and garlic, and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the ginger and green chilies, and cook for 2 more minutes, until the onions are golden. Add the cumin, chili powder, salt, peas, and tomatoes, and simmer over medium-low heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the mashed eggplant, half-and-half, and chopped cilantro. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes, until the flavors are well blended.

4. You can prepare this dish 2 days in advance. Refrigerate, then reheat before serving.

Eggplant is oven roasted, then peeled, pureed, and mixed with spices and tomato sauce. Serve this dish with any Indian bread such as chapatis, pooris, or whole wheat pita.

PREPARATION TIME: 15 minutes    COOKING TIME: 45 minutes     SERVES: 4

2 large eggplants or 8 small Italian eggplants

1/2 tsp. ground cumin

2 Tbsp. vegetable oil

1/2 tsp. chili powder

2 onions, peeled and finely chopped

1 tsp. salt

4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

1 cup fresh peas, cooked, or 1 (10 oz.) package frozen peas, thawed and cooked

1 inch fresh ginger, peeled and grated

3 ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped for 1/2 cup tomato sauce

2 green chilies or jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced

4 Tbsp. half-and-half

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro

Per Serving : 205 calories; 3g protein; 27g carbohydrates; 9g fat, 172mg sodium; 7.5mg cholesterol; 5g fiber