JFI : Baingan Bharta

I love this rustic Baingan Bharta. The smoky taste of roasted eggplant, roasted garlic and mustard oil make for a heady combination. Back home we call it "Kachcha" (Uncooked) Baingan Bharta, since you don't cook the roasted eggplant with spices. This is my contribution for JFI July : Eggplant, created by Indira, and hosted by me for July.

What you need for this recipe :
1 large eggplant
1/2 small red onion, chopped fine
2 green chillies, chopped
4-5 fat cloves of garlic
1/2 tsp mustard oil, plus 2-3 drops
Salt to taste

Wash the eggplant and pat dry with a paper towel. Make 4-5 large slits on the eggplant and insert the garlic cloves. Take 2-3 drops of mustard oil and rub all over the eggplant. Roast the eggplant on the stove top, turning occasionally, so that the eggplant is evenly roasted on all sides. (Alternatively, pre-heat your oven . Put the eggplant in a baking dish or foil, and cook it at 450 F for 50-55 minutes, turning occasionally, so that eggplant is evenly cooked). Remove from stovetop/ oven and let cool.
Remove the skin from the eggplant and put in a bowl. Mash the eggplant. Add the chopped onion, chopped green chillies, salt and mustard oil and mix well. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves (cilantro)(optional) and serve hot with Roti / Paratha. Enjoy !
Note : Use only mustard oil.