Punjabi Baingan Bharta

Well I could have named this recipe as simply 'Baingan Bharta' or may be with some fancy name like 'Spicy Grilled Eggplant'. But I decided to name it as Punjabi Baingan Bharta as a tribute to our neighbor (they hailed from the state of Punjab - in the north of India) from where I borrowed this recipe (rather my mom borrowed). This has been on the favorite list of me as well as my lil sister. Whenever this dish was on our table me and my sis would finish our meal without any noise.
So without wasting a minute I bring this platter to your table. And if you wish you may name it as Odiya Baingan Bharta !!
Preparation Time - 60 minutes
Serves - 4
Ingredients
Egg Plant - 1 Big
Chopped Onion - 1/2 cup
Chopped Garlic - 1 tbsp
Chopped Ginger - 2 tsp
Green Chilis - 4
Chopped Tomato - 1 /2 cup
Cumin Seeds - 1/2 tsp
Coriander Powder - 1/2 tsp
Cumin Powder - 1/2 tsp
Garam Masala Powder - 1/2 tsp
Green Peas - 1/3 cup (optional)
Salt to taste
Oil for cooking
Method of Preparation
1 Take the Eggplant and prick it with a fork on its surface at several places. Apply a little oil on the surface to grease it evenly. Toss it into the oven to bake or roast it on gas flame. Once roasted/baked, remove skin and mash, keep aside.
2 Finely chop onions, tomato, garlic, ginger and green chilis and keep aside.
3 In a frying pan, pour around 2 to 3 tsp of oil. When oil is warm, add cumin seeds to sputter.Add turmeric powder and red chili powder.
4 Add ginger and fry for a minute. To it add chopped onions and fry till translucent. Then add garlic (garlic is added at the end to prevent it from burning or getting over fried). In the end add chopped tomatoes and fry till the masala is properly cooked.
5 Add the mashed egg plant and peas and mix well with the masala.
6 Now add cumin,coriander and garam masala powder. Mix well and fry till all the moisture evaporates.
7 Add clarified butter and give it a rough stir at the end.
8 Garnish with fresh chopped coriander leaves.
Serving Tips
Serve hot with Roti/Fulka/Paratha or rice.
Notes
Make sure that the egg plant is roasted properly.
Variation
Adding peas is optional. Also adding clarified butter in the end is optional.
Other Names
Egg plant - Bringjal/ Baingan, Cumin Powder - Zeera Powder, Coriander Powder - Dhaniya Powder, Cumin - Zeera, Coriander leaves - Cilantro