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Thursday, August 28, 2008

Microwave baingan bhartha

I have always loved the microwave. I can put something in to cook, set the timer, go out for a stroll and come back to find it cooked just right. That said, I have always resorted to the old fashioned method of roasting a brinjal over an open flame to make baingan bhartha.. This time, though, I had a brainwave (yes - I do get one of those now and then) and decided to stick the eggplant in the microwave. The rest, as they say, is history.

What you need:
Eggplant/Brinjal/Aubergine - 1 large
Onion - 2, chopped fine
Green chilli - 2, minced
Ginger - a small piece, julienned
Garlic - 4 or 5 pods, chopped
Groundnuts - a handful (optional)
Tomatoes - 2 or 3 large juicy, ripe ones, chopped
Red chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
Garam masala -3/4 tsp
Salt
Turmeric powder - 3/4 tsp
Corriander leaves - a few, to garnish

Spread some oil all over the brinjal. Prick the skin on all sides with a knife and then microwave on high heat for 14 minutes or until the skin shrivels up and the brinjal gets cooked.Let it cool. Remove the skin and mash the brinjal.
Heat 2 tsp of oil in a microwave safe bowl. Add a tsp of jeera and the groundnuts to it and heat for 45 seconds. Stir in the onion, garlic, ginger, green chillies and heat for 3-4 minutes. Now add in the tomatoes and cook for another 3 minutes. Add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, garam masala, salt, sugar(optional) and the mashed brinjals. Stir well. Add some water if necessary and cook for 5 minutes.
Garnish with freshly chopped corriander leaves.This my entry to Fresh Produce of the Month featuring eggplant this month and hosted by Simona.

This also goes to Sunshine Mom's Food in colours - Red and to Srivalli's MEC-Potluck.

23 comments:

notyet100 said...

hi,..you can send this srivallis microwave event too,..looks delicious ,.even we prepare the same way...

Unknown said...

looks superb..I have tried in microwave too..it comes out good...Btw, i too posted a baingan recipe today!!

jayasree said...

To make baingan bhartha in MW is a good idea.

ST said...

Looks very very tasty and superb.Never tried in MW.will try now....Its my all time favorite..

Simona Carini said...

Very interesting: I never thought of microwaving an eggplant. The result looks great. Thanks for participating!

anudivya said...

Microwave it? Never tried that before... if it is easy... I have to get my hands on it. Very nice.

Vaishali said...

What a wonderful idea, Jayashree. I'd have never thought of microwaving the eggplant. In fact, one of the reasons I don't make bharta as often as I'd like is because of the additional time needed to roast the baingan. Thanks for the idea!

Cham said...

Wow, that is great u did in microwave B. Bartha.

Madhavi said...

Great idea, bhartha look mouth-drooling!!!

Meera said...

Look delicious!!

Nidhi said...

Never tried roasting the baigan in the microwave. Surely it would have made life much easier. Nice recipe!

Nirmala said...

The baigan bartha looks delicious Sree! I love it with piping hot pongal ;)

starry said...

Thanks for sharing have to try it.

sra said...

Great idea, I never thought of the MW!
Does the skin get as charred as it does on the stove? And the pulp as tender?

Laavanya said...

I make baingan bartha like this always - ever since i first tried it 4 yrs ago. So much easier and just as yummy - sans the smoked flavor perhaps...

Uma said...

what a lovely idea to MW an eggplant. the bhartha looks delicious and colorful.

Deepthi Shankar said...

WOW .. looks yummy ..a very good idea to make it in the microwave ..

Srivalli said...

Thanks for the lovely entry!

Sunshinemom said...

Thank you Jayashree, for sending this one to me! This is the only baigan dish all of us love and I like the microwave version! Haven't tried it this way yet:)

Vinay said...

Thanx for the recipe. It turned out good.

Unknown said...

Came out Perfect!!!!! Thanks so much!

sathyapriya said...

Just tried the Bhartha..it is delicious! Thanks a ton!

varun said...

Fattu rommie.. thinks microwave/brinjal will blast. Your recipe is a proof.. thanks buddy ;)