47. Asamee Baingan

Final Outcome: Good and different

        My colleague gave me this recipe. She loves to cook and try different cuisines. I hope to learn many more recipes from her:-)

Recipe:
Ingredients:
Small Brinjal/Egg plant: 8-10. Make 2 cuts at the base but do not chop them completely (they should remain whole).
Onion: 3 finely chopped
Tomato: 2 pureed
Curd: ~ 1 cup
Ginger-Garlic paste: 1 tsp
Chili powder: 1 tsp
Coriander powder: 2 tsp
Cumin powder: 1 tsp
Turmeric powder: 1 tsp
Garam Masala: 1 tsp
Fresh coriander
Salt
Oil:1 tbsp

Method:
1. Add cumin powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder and Chile powder to curd. Mix well. Soak  Egg plants (which have 2 cuts at the base ) into the curd and leave for 1/2 hr.
2. In a pan heat oil. Add chopped onion to it and fry till its well done. Add Ginger-garlic paste and saute till fragrant. Add tomato puree and salt to it and cook till it is done.
3. Remove egg plants from curd and add them to the gravy. Add a little water if necessary.Cook covered till they are done.
4. Once the egg plants are completely cooked , add garam masala and curd (in which egg plants were soaked). Cook for a few mins and take off heat. Serve garnished with fresh coriander.

37. Veggies Dal

Final Outcome: Very Very Tasty!!!

        This is a very tasty dal, completely worth the effort.

Recipe:
Ingredients: (please note all veggies have to be coarsely chopped as shown above)
Toor Dal: 1 cup
Carrots: 2
Potato:1
Raw Banana: 1
Egg Plant/Brinjal: 2
Pumpkin: about 200 gms (a handful of pieces)
Drumstick: 1
Ash Gourd: 7-8 pieces
Cumin: 1/2 tsp
Coriander Powder: 1/2 tsp
Cumin powder: 1/2 tsp
Turmeric: A pinch
Garam Masala: 1 tsp
Oil
Salt
For the masala paste
Cumin: 1/2 tsp
Coriander seeds: 1/2 tsp
Grated fresh or dry dry coconut: 1/4th cup

1 or 2 red chilies
Onion chopped: 1
Ginger paste: 1 tsp
Tamarind juice: about 1 tsp
Green Chili: 1

Method
For the masala 
Heat the oil in a pan and add the cumin and coriander seeds. Add the dry red Chile, green Chile and onion and cook. After onion is tender add grated coconut stirring continuously till the mixture becomes golden brown. Add the ginger paste and tamarind paste and blend into a smooth paste. 

For Dal
1. Soak the toor dal for about 30 minutes. Add turmeric powder and 3 cups of water and pressure cook till the dal is done. Once done mash it well.
2. Heat oil in a pan and add the cumin seeds. Add the Drumsticks, ash gourd,  potato, carrots . Let it cook (covered) for some time (these veggies take more time to cook).
3. Add raw banana, brinjals, pumpkin, coriander powder, cumin  powder and garam masala and stir for some time. Add water and salt, cover and cook till the vegetables done.
4. Add the cooked dal, masala paste (from above) and about 1 cup of water.
5. Bring it to a boil. Its ready!

        Its 11.30 p.m so no chit-chat. I better get some sleep. Have a very hectic day ahead.