BRINJAL AACHARI

Ingredients:

2 cups of brinjals cut into 1 inch cubes.

1 tbs oil
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp aniseeds
1 tsp fenugreek seeds
½ tsp cumin seeds
1 sprig curry leaves

3 big tomatoes chopped fine
1 big onion chopped
1 green chillie chopped
1 tsp ginger paste
1 tsp garlic paste

1 tbs coriander powder
1 ½ tbs chillie powder
½ tsp turmeric powder
½ tsp asafoetida powder
½ tsp garam masala powder
½ tsp mango powder or lime juice

Salt to taste
Little coriander leaves chopped

Method:
Put the brinjal cubes in a bowl of water and little salt.
After 10 minutes, drain and dry them on a kitchen towel.
Now fry the brinjals till they are lightly brown. Drain and keep aside.

Heat a wok with the oil, add in the seasonings.
When the seeds crackle, add in the onions, sauté well.
Add in the ginger garlic paste and the green chillies.
Sauté till the onions are translucent.

Add in the chopped tomatoes and sauté well.
Add also the coriander, chillie, turmeric, garam masala,
asafoetida powder and mango powder.
Stir well till oil rises, add in 1 1/2 cups of water, add salt.
Mix well and let it come to a boil.

When the gravy thickens, add in the fried brinjals.
Let it come to a nice boil, taste for salt and remove.
Garnish with cut coriander leaves.
Serve, with simple vegetable pulao.