Brinjal and Chickpea Gojju (Kathirikkai-kadalakka gojju)

[Milagai]

Brinjal and Chickpea Gojju (Kathirikkai-kadalakka gojju)

Serves 4 as Side.

• 1 large eggplant, diced in 1 inch pieces
  
• 1 c cooked black chickpeas (preferred) or regular chickpeas cooked till soft
  
• 1 T vegetable oil
  
• 1 sprig fresh curry leaves
  
• sliced green chillies
  
• 1/2 inch piece fresh ginger grated
  
• 1 tsp mustard seeds (black kind)
  
• 1/4 T turmeric
  
• 1/4 tsp hing
  
• 1/4 c roasted peanut halves (optional but yummy)
  
• 1/2 tsp fenugreek seeds
  
• 1 T sambar powder
  
• 1 T tamarind concentrate
  
• 2 c hot water, divided
  
• 1 T jaggery or brown sugar or molasses
  
• salt to taste
  
• 1/4 c chopped cilantro for garnish
  

this is my twist on a traditional tamilian

sweet and sour type recipe.

1. mix the tamarind paste in 1 cup water and set aside.

2. heat the oil.

for "tarka": add hing, when it starts getting golden

add fenugreek, when that starts changing color

add mustard seeds, when that pops, add quickly

the turmeric, sliced green chillies, ginger,

curry leaves, and peanuts. stir briefly to saute.

3. add eggplant pieces and saute until about half

cooked.

4. add the remaining 1 cup water, sambar powder

and chickpeas and simmer until the eggplant is well cooked.

5. add the salt, water + tamarind and simmer ~ 5 minutes.

6. add the jaggery / brown sugar / molasses and

mix well. simmer ~ 3 minutes more.

taste and adjust seasonings. you may need to balance

between the salt, sour, and sweet. all three should

be balanced in flavor, with a little "hot" coming

through.

garnish with the chopped cilantro and serve hot,

with rice, or venn pongal, or puris, etc.

other dishes as appropriate (including yogurt / raita).

other popular veggies for gojju include:

1. okra cut in 1" pieces and well sauted so no slime.

2. sliced onion and diced tomato.

3. sweet potato chunks and chick peas (my invention) -

this is wonderful in cold weather.

4. pineapple.

etc.

milagai

Keywords: Side, Vegan, Intermediate, Indian

( RG1045 )