Baghara Baingan

Baghara baingan is a popular dish from Hyderabad. It is a rich gravy of coconut, peanuts and spices cooked along with eggplants.

Ingredients:
Eggplants-1/4 kg(about 7 if you are using baby eggplants. I used 2 Italian eggplants)
Onions chopped-1.5 cups
Tomato-1 medium size(2 if small)
Jeera-1 tsp
Oil-3 tbsp
Salt
Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp
Chilli powder-1/2 tsp
Coriander leaves-to garnish

To grind together:
Cashews-10
Roasted Peanuts-1/4 cup
Garlic cloves-2
Dry Roasted sesame-1 tbsp
Dry Roasted coriander seeds-1 tbsp
Coconut-1/4 cup

Method:
Grind the above ingredients with water to a fine paste and set aside.
Chop eggplants into thin long pieces.
Heat oil in a pan. Add jeera, when it crackles, add onions. Fry till it turns golden brown.
Add eggplants and fry for 5 minutes. Add chopped tomato, salt, turmeric powder, chilli powder and fry for another 5 minutes. Now add the ground paste, little water and bring it to a gravy like consistency and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
Garnish with coriander leaves and serve with rice or rotis.