STUFFED BABY EGGPLANT

Eggplant is one of my favorites and so the dishes made from it is also my favorite.One such dish is stuffed eggplant.A spicy tangy powder is stuffed inside the veg. and the same is used for making the gravy in which these are cooked.They go best with white rice and dal or with just kanji/pej.I use bulb shaped eggplants for this.I sometimes use my thambale pudi for stuffing.That is also equally delicious.

INGREDIENTS

Small eggplants - 7-8 nos

Small onions/shallots - 10-12 nos, sliced

mustard seeds - 1 tsp

curry leaves - 1 sprig

turmeric - 1 tsp

green chillies - 3 nos, slit

For roasting and grinding:-

Coriander seeds - 3 tbsp

Cumin seeds - 1 1/2 tsp

Peppercorn - 10 seeds

dry red chillies - 5-6 nos

Curry leaves - 1 sprig

chana dal - 2 tbsp

urad dal - 1 tsp

peanuts - 3 tbsp

Coconut pdr - 1/2 cup

Sesame seeds - 1 tbsp

salt to taste

Tamarind paste - 1 1/2 tsp or according to ur taste

METHOD

First roast all the ingredients for the powder except salt and tamarind paste.be careful to do it on a low flame.Add the coconut pdr and sesamme seeds in the last minute otherwise it will burn.Grind it all together with tamarind paste and salt.Keep it aside.

Now holding onto the stem of the eggplant ,starting from the opposite end slice the eggplant crosswise 3/4th of the way until it just opens up(dont cut off the stem,keep it intact.Just very useful while eating.Hold onto it for gobbling one neatly).Apply some salt on the insides and stuff the eggplant generously with the spice powder.Keep it aside for 15-20 mins.Reserve some of the powder for the gravy.

Heat some oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds.When it starts to crackle add the shallots,curry leaves,turmeric and salt.Saute until the onions become soft.Add the powder and some water to bring it to a paste consistency.Drop the stuffed brinjal and nicely mix everything together.check salt.Sprinkle some more water to help the brinjals cook.Cover with a lid and let it simmer for 15-20 mins or until the brinjals are cooked fully.Serve it hot with rice and dal or just kanji/pej.