Eggplant Curry

Eggplant Curry

Serves 4

Ingredients: 

• 2 Large Eggplant 
• Oil 
• 1/2 Teaspoon Mustard Seeds 
• 1 Bunch scallions, finely chopped 
• 4 oz Button Mushrooms halved 
• 2 Garlic cloves, crushed 
• 1 Fresh red chile, finely chopped 
• 1/2 Teaspoon chili powder 
• 1 Teaspoon ground cumin 
• 1 Teaspoon ground coriander 
• 1/4 Teaspoon ground turmeric 
• 1 Teaspoon salt 
• 14oz Can chopped tomatoes 
• 1 Tablespoon chopped cilantro 
• Cilantro for garnish 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Brush both eggplant with oil and prick repeatedly with a fork all over. Bake for 30-35 minutes until soft. 
2. While waiting heat oil in saucepan and saute the mustard seeds for 3 minutes, until they begin to splutter(and make a mess.) 
3. Add scallions, mushrooms, garlic and chile and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in chili powder, cumin, coriander, turmeric and salt then cook for 3-4 minutes. Add tomatoes, simmer for 5 minutes. 
4. Cut each eggplant in half lengthwise and scoop out the flesh into a bowl(Seeds and all!) Mash the flesh. 
5. Add the mashed eggplant and chopped cilantro to the saucepan. Bring to boil and simmer for 5 minutes or until sauce thickens. Serve garnished with cilantro sprigs. 

Tips:

• Do not be afraid to cook the eggplant longer. The softer the better, as it makes scooping out the eggplant easier. Ensure you stab the eggplant a lot with the fork(and pretend it is Rebecca Black.) 
• Sadly I chopped my mushrooms so make sure you halve yours as it will make the consistency a lot thicker. 
• Ensure you mash the eggplant WELL otherwise the thick strands of eggplant will give the dish an odd texture. 
• Substitute cayenne pepper in place of chili but dont go overboard or you will regret it later! 

Overall a delicious meal. It reminded me a lot of chili and it was surely a great experience. The texture was odd because I didn't mash it as well as I should have but regardless was still full of great flavor. A must try for those trying new vegetarian meals, like myself!

recipe courtesy of http://noblechef.blogspot.com