Eggplant Spinach Curry Recipes

CURRIED EGGPLANT AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 F.
• Cut eggplant in half length-wise, then score diagonally into inch-wide diamonds, then place skin-down on a cookie sheet (I like to use tinfoil for easier cleanup).
• Spray or brush 1 Tbsp oil or ghee on each eggplant half and sprinkle with salt.
• Bake for 30 minutes.
• In the meantime, over medium heat saute onions in remaining oil/ghee (sprinkle with salt) until soft. If you want this spicy, add chili pepper here (this is good mild or spicy).
• Add garlic, ginger, turmeric, cayenne, and garam masala.
• Cook until fragrant, stirring constantly to keep from sticking. Before the spices start to burn, add coconut milk and stir well.
• When coconut milk is hot, add a large handful of spinach. The spinach will wilt down to nothing as it cooks. As it does, add more spinach.
• Remove from heat or let warm over low heat while you wait for the eggplant to finish.
• Once eggplant is finished, remove from oven and spoon out flesh from skin.
• Add to spinach mixture, stir, and cook until everything is warm.
• Stir in cilantro and add salt to taste - do not be scared of the salt. But don't go crazy either! Salt is gonna make or break this bad boy, so if it tastes unexciting, you probably just need a little more salt to pull out the flavors.

EGGPLANT CURRY - SOUTH INDIAN BRINJAL CURRY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 240°C / 450°F (220°C fan). Line tray with parchment/baking paper.
• Cut eggplant into 2cm / 4/5" slices, then cut into 2cm / 4/5" batons.
• Place in large bowl, toss with oil, salt and pepper.
• Spread on tray, roast 20 minutes. Turn, roast for a further 10 minutes - edges should be caramelised, soft inside, but they're not shrivelled up and dismal. Use per recipe.
• Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add mustard seeds, let them sizzle for 15 seconds.
• Add curry leaves, stir, leave to sizzle for 15 seconds - seeds might pop, Indian cooking is very dramatic!
• Add onions, cook 5 minutes until golden brown.
• Add tomato, cook for 1 minute, stirring.
• Add garlic and ginger, cook 2 minutes.
• Add Curry Spices and salt, and cook for another 3 minutes - it will be a thick paste and might stick to the bottom of the pot, don't let it burn (if it starts to, remove from stove and quickly add splash of water to loosen).
• Stir in water, and then add the eggplant.
• Gently stir, partially cover, reduce heat to low and simmer 30 minutes. Stir carefully once or twice (so the eggplants don't break up completely), add more water if it dries out.
• Stir in coconut milk, taste then add more salt if needed.
• Your result should be a very thick, juicy, strongly flavoured curry with eggplant partially intact but half collapsed.
• Serve with basmati rice and a dollop of yogurt and fresh coriander leaves, if you want.

EGGPLANT SPINACH CURRY

Steps:

• Place eggplant in a colander, sprinkle with coarse salt, and let stand for 30 minutes to sweat. Pat dry with paper towels.
• Place mustard seeds in a small, dry saute pan and cook over moderate heat until they turn gray and start popping. Remove from heat and reserve.
• Heat 1/4 cup clarified butter in a large skillet over moderate heat. Saute eggplant, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden. Remove from heat and reserve in a bowl with mustard seeds.
• Heat remaining butter in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Add onions and salt. Saute until onions are golden and soft. Add garlic and ginger, cook just until aromas are released, then stir in all spices. Cook an additional minute, stirring constantly to blend spices and prevent scorching.
• Add tomatoes, water, and sugar. Turn heat to high and bring to a boil. Add spinach, bring back to a boil, and stir in eggplant mixture. When eggplant is heated through, about 2 minutes, remove from heat and serve.

EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) -SPINACH CURRY

Steps:

• Put eggplant cubes in colander over large bowl, sprinkle with kosher salt, and let stand for 30 minutes to sweat. Pat dry and remove excess salt with paper towels or clean dishcloth. (Careful, this juice stains!).
• Toast mustard seeds in a small dry non-stick pan over medium-low heat until they turn grey and begin to pop. Remove from heat and reserve in a small bowl.
• Place eggplant in a mid-sized steamer and cook for about 10 minutes, until eggplant is soft and tender but not mushy. Remove from heat and reserve.
• Heat canola oil in large pot over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until golden. Stir in garlic, ginger, and all other spices, being careful to avoid scorching.
• After 1 minute, add spinach and tomatoes. Raise heat to high and boil for 2 minutes, stirring often. Turn heat down to low and simmer with lid on for 20 minutes to allow flavours to blend.
• Stir in reserved mustard seeds and eggplant. Once eggplant is hot, stir in yogurt and chopped cilantro. Remove from heat.
• Serve alone on a bed of rice, or with a beef curry and naan bread.