POTATOES WITH EGGPLANT

(This recipe is originally of Manjula’s but I have editted a bit according to my taste.)

Ingredients:

* 3 medium purple eggplant (baingan), un-peeled, cut into 1/2″ cubes
* 2 medium russet potatoes (aloo), peeled and cut into 1/2? cubes
* 4 tbsp Tomato puree
* 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro (hara dhania)
* 1 tablespoon oil
* 5-6 curry leaves
* 1 teaspoon cumin seed
* 1 chopped green chili adjust to taste
* 1 teaspoon ginger paste (adrak)
* 1 tablespoon coriander powder (dhania powder)
* 1/2 teaspoon turmeric (haldi)
* 1/2 teaspoon paprika (degi mirch)
* 1 teaspoon salt, adjust to taste
* 2 tablespoons water
* Oil to fry


Method:

1. Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium high heat.
2. Frying pan should have at least 1 1/2 inch of oil. To check if the oil is ready, put one piece of potato in the oil. The potato should sizzle right away. If vegetables are fried in low heat they will be very oily.
3. Fry the potatoes till they are cooked through, turn the potatoes few times while frying. Take out potatoes with a slotted spoon (this allows excess oil to drip back into the frying pan) and place on a paper towel.
4. Test the oil again with a piece of eggplant. Fry the eggplant pieces same way.
5. In a small bowl, mix the shredded ginger, green pepper, coriander powder, paprika, turmeric, and 2 tablespoons of water to make a paste.
6. Heat the 1-tablespoon of oil in a pan. Test the heat by adding one cumin seed to the oil; if seed cracks right away oil is ready.
7. Add cumin seeds and curry patta after seeds crack add the spice mixture and stir-fry for a minute until you see the oil start to separate from the spice mixture.
8. Add tomatoes puree stir-fry for a minute.
9. Add fried potatoes and eggplant mix it gently, let it simmer for three to four minute on medium low heat.
10. Subzi should be not very dry if needed add one cup of water.
11. Turn off the heat and add chopped cilantro mix it well.
12. Serve with roti or naan.