Spicy Achari Baingan (Egg Plant)

This side dish has the ingredients used in North Indian pickles and so its name.This can be made as a party food and can be made with egg plant or boiled and fried potato or paneer.Serves six people.

Ingredients	Quantity
Egg Plant (Brinjal)	3 medium
Fennel Seeds (Saunf)	1 tsp
Fenugreek Seeds (Methi)	1 tsp
Nigella Seeds (Onion Seeds or Kalonji)	1 tsp
Cumin Seeds (Jeera)	1 tsp
Sliced Onions	1 cup
Sliced Green Chillies	6
Turmeric Powder	½ tsp
Ginger Garlic Paste	1 tsp
Yogurt (Thick Beaten Curds)	½ cup
Dry Mango Powder	1 tsp
Red Chilly Powder	1 ½ tsps
Sugar	½ tsp
Salt	to taste
Oil	4 tbsps
Water	½ cup
Fried Cashewnuts	6
Chopped Cilantro (Coriander Leaves)	1 tbsp

Method

1. Slice the washed brinjals into long pieces and keep them in water so that they do not become brown.


2. Heat oil in a pan and put the brinjal slices with water squeezed out and fry them till light in colour. Keep them aside.



3. In the same oil, add the cumin seeds,fenugreek seeds,nigella and fry. After 15 to 20 seconds add the sliced onions and green chillies and fry them.



4. Stir fry these until golden brown.



5. Add tumeric powder,ginger garlic paste and fry.



6. Add the beaten curds,dry mango powder,chilly powder,sugar and salt and cook till the oil seperates.



7. Add the fried brinjal slices and water and cook for a minute.



8. Garnish this dish with fried cashewnuts and chopped coriander leaves and serve it with chappatis or bread.