If you love aubergines and barbeques, then you have to try this traditional recipe from Gujarat. Bengan Ka Bhartha (in Hindi) was one of the dishes I most enjoyed during my travels in Gujarat. Often served with millet flatbreads, it is a great taste of Northern Indian cuisine.
I loved spending time sitting on the ground in the garden, watching the family I stayed with, cooking this dish over a simple fire. Don't worry if you are unable to cook over fire or a barbeque, baking the aubergines in the oven will work but you will not have the same smoky flavour.
Olo - means the smoky one!
Serves 6
To make this dish you will need the following ingredients:
- 8 aubergines
For the tadka:
- 4 tbsp oil - groundnut or a vegetable oil
- 5 small onions chopped.
- 6 fresh tomatoes - diced
- 11 garlic cloves
- 5 fresh green chillies - chopped
- 1 tsp chilli powder - or more if you like it super hot!
- 2 tsp turmeric powder
- large handful of fresh coriander - chopped
- salt to taste
Method:
Prick the aubergines with a fork, lightly oil and roast over the flame until soft inside. Once cooked, peel away the skin and mash the aubergine flesh in a bowl.
Next, make the tadka. In a deep pan, add the oil. When hot add the chillies and fry for a few minutes. In a pestle and mortar, pound the garlic, chilli powder and salt into a paste. Add to the hot oil, fry for a minute, then add the onions. Fry for a few more minutes, then add the turmeric and cook until the onions start to soften. Add the chopped tomatoes and stir to combine. Nest, add the mashed aubergines and season with salt to taste. Garnish with the chopped coriander.
Serve with bread of your choice and curd/yoghurt.
Follow up with a cup of hot steaming masala chai - you can find a wonderful recipe here from my earlier visit to Jaipur!
Special thanks to Ankita and her mother in law for sharing this wonderful recipe with me and for hosting us in their home during my stay in Gujarat.
To learn more about Ankita and the wonderful women she works with in rural Gujarat, you can find her here on Instagram.
Thanks also to Kuldip from Kutch Adventures, Ankita's husband, who helped us explore the region and its wonderful varied textiles, wildlife and amazing people.
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