Aubergine Eggplant Curry With Lemongrass Coconut Milk Recipes

AUBERGINE (EGGPLANT) CURRY WITH LEMONGRASS & COCONUT MILK

Steps:

• Using a food processor, pulse the chilies, garlic, ginger and lemongrass to a coarse paste; set aside.
• Mix the turmeric and chili powder together and rub it all over the aubergine wedges.
• Heat the olive oil in frying pan,.
• brown the aubergines; remove from the pan and set aside.
• Cook the paste, sugar and shallots for a few mins, then return the aubergines to the pan.
• Add the fish sauce, coconut milk and stock or water, mix well,.
• bring the liquid to the boil; reduce the heat and cook gently until the aubergine is tender, but not mushy, about 15 minutes.
• Season to taste and sprinkle the coriander over the top.
• Serve hot with steamed rice or bread to mop up all the juices.

ROAST AUBERGINE & COCONUT CURRY

Steps:

• Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/ gas 5. Spread out the aubergine in a roasting tin (you may need to use two) and drizzle with 3 tbsp of the oil. Turn the pieces over with your hands and season. Roast for 15-20 mins, tossing them halfway through cooking, or until they are dark golden and soft.
• Heat the rest of the oil in a flameproof casserole dish and cook the onions over a medium heat until they are soft and pale gold. Add the ginger, garlic and chilli, and cook for another 3 mins, then add the turmeric, coriander and cardamom pods (leave the pods whole). Stir for 1 min, then add the tomatoes and seasoning. Cook over a medium-low heat until the tomatoes begin to soften, stirring, then add the coconut cream, 75ml water and the aubergine.
• Bring to just under the boil - if it boils, the coconut cream will split - then turn down to a gentle simmer. Simmer for 30 mins, stirring every so often. Add the lime juice to taste, and check for seasoning. Add a pinch of sugar if it needs it. Stir in the coriander and serve with rice or naan breads. (Inform guests that there are some whole spices in the dish.)

SOUTH INDIAN EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) CURRY

Steps:

• In a cast iron or other heavy skillet, roast coconut powder, poppy seeds, sesame seeds and cumin seeds over low heat until light brown.
• Remove from pan to stop the cooking and cool.
• Put this coconut mixture in a food processor and process until it's grainy, reserve in a dish.
• Grind the roasted channa dal in a spice grinder until it is a fine powder and add to the coconut mixture.
• In a food processor, process the peanuts until they are coarsely ground.
• Wash and stem the eggplants.
• Cut each eggplant 2/3 into the wide end up to the stem - making an "X" - leave the stem end intact.
• Heat 1/4 cup oil in a skillet and cook the eggplants on low until soft.
• In a separate pan, heat the 2 tablespoons of oil to medium hot.
• Add the 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds and 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds to the hot oil.
• In a matter of seconds they will begin to pop - add the onions and stir.
• When the onions are beginning to brown, add the ginger garlic paste and the turmeric, cumin, coriander powder, chili powder and salt.
• Stir the spices into the onion then add the tomatoes.
• Stir in the tomatoes then add the coconut mixture along with the peanuts.
• Add the eggplants and 1 cup of the water.
• Stir and cook over low heat, covered for about 20 minutes.
• Add water a little at a time to maintain a nice smooth consistency.
• Add garam masala and 2 1/2 tablespoons of the chopped fresh coriander - stir.
• Check to see that it is salted to your taste.
• Put in a serving dish and garnish with the remaining chopped coriander.