Burnt Eggplant in Coconut Chutney

This is one side dish that comes into my mind instantly when I see eggplant! I used to dislike this veggie earlier, but now with a wide variety of dishes that can be prepared with the eggplant, I actually started liking it. This is quite easy to prepare - cook the eggplant on stovetop till the outer skin is burnt, after which the skin is removed and the inner part is added to a ground coconut chutney. Tastes great with chapathis, rottis, esp Ubbu rotti, and even with rice.

Burnt Eggplant in Coconut Chutney

Preparation time : 5 min Cooking time : 15 min Serves : 4 Ingredients: Eggplant - 3, medium sized, preferably purple ones Coconut - 1 cup, grated Green chilies - 5-6, depending on taste Channa dal - 2 tsp Curry leaves - 2 sprigs Coriander leaves - 1 Tbsp, chopped Cooking oil - 1 tsp Jaggery - a small pinch (optional) Tamarind - a small marble sized ball Salt - ½ tsp or as per taste Turmeric - 1 pinch For Tempering: Cooking oil - 1 tsp Curry leaves - A few sprigs Mustard seeds - 1 tsp Asafetida - a pinch, powdered Method: • Wash the eggplants, make sure there are no holes on the outer skin, which means there might be bugs inside • Smear a few drops of oil over the eggplant • Switch on the gas and place these eggplants directly over the flame • Turn it around every now and then and ensure an even blackening of the outer skin. This will take around 2 minutes per eggplant. • Poke the back of a spoon or a knife to check if it is cooked soft inside. • Repeat this for all the eggplants and set aside to cool • Meanwhile, roast green chilies, curry leaves and chana dal in a few drops of oil till they change color • Grind the above with coconut, turmeric, salt, tamarind, jaggery, coriander leaves, adding a little water if needed • Transfer the ground chutney to a serving bowl • Once the burnt eggplant is cool enough to handle, peel the outer charred skin. A thick layer comes out easily. • Mash this slightly or cut with a knife to get small pieces • Add it to the ground chutney and mix well For tempering / tadka: • Heat the oil in a pan, add mustard and allow to splutter • Add curry leaves • Garnish with tadka Tips n Tricks: • Do not make the chutney too smooth – a little coarse consistency will give a better taste • You can just bake the eggplant in oven too. But make sure to prick some holes all over, to prevent it from bursting inside the oven!