Ingredients:

* ½ kilogram of Brinjals (Baingan) (tender, round and small)
* 2 medium Onions
* 5 Red Chillies (Lal Mirch) (or to taste)
* 2 tbsp. Tamarind Extract (Imli)
* ½” piece of Ginger (Adrak)
* 2 tbsp. of Peanuts (Moum Phali)
* 2 tbsp. of Desiccated Coconut (Khopra) (grated)
* A bunch of Fresh Coriander/Cilantro Leaves (Hara Dhania) (chopped) (for garnish)
* 2 tbsp. of Sesame Seeds (Till)
* 1 tbsp. of Coriander Seeds (Saabut Dhania)
* 1 tsp. of Cumin Seeds (Sufaid Zeera)
* 1 tsp. of Red Chili Powder (Pisi Lal Mirch)
* ½ tsp. of Turmeric Powder (Pisi Haldi)
* Salt (to taste)
* 4 tbsp. of Cooking Oil

Methods:

1. Wash the brinjals well, cut the stem, leaving the canopy in place and cut ¾ of the length of each brinjal into a criss cross, leaving the attached at the other end.

2. Heat two tablespoons of oil in a thick and wide pan and add the brinjals. Sprinkle some salt and leave the brinjals to cook until well done and soft.

3. In the meantime roast the peanuts and sesame seeds. Switch off the flame and fry the coconut powder in the hot pan with the heat off.

4. Using just enough oil roast coriander, cumin and red chillies.

5. Pricked to a fork or knife, roast the onions on a low flame with the peel. Allow the roasted onions to cool and remove the peel.

6. Blend all of the roasted ingredients along with the turmeric powder. Once all of the ingredients are powdered finely, add the peeled onions, ginger and ¼ cup of water and blend again until it turns into a fine thick paste.

7. Transfer the cooked brinljals to another container leaving the oil behind (if there is any).

8. In the same pan heat two tablespoons of oil and add the paste, red chilli powder and tamarind extract. Add water if necessary. Add salt and cook until the raw smell of the tamarind is gone. Add the cooked brinjals and cook on a low flame until the oil separates, by continuously stirring them, without breaking the brinjals.

9. Garnish with the chopped coriander/cilantro leaves before serving.

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