FRIED EGGPLANT WITH CHICKPEAS AND MINT CHUTNEY

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Fried Eggplant With Chickpeas and Mint Chutney image

In this gently spiced vegetable dish, baby eggplant slices are first fried until golden, then braised with chickpeas, tomatoes and garam masala until soft, velvety and richly flavored. A quickly made fresh mint chutney adds a complex, herbal, spicy note thanks to the jalapeño in the mix. Serve this over rice or with flatbread as a main course, or on the side of grilled meats or fish. Featured in: The Great Eggplant Question: To Fry Or Not To Fry?.

Provided by @MakeItYours

Number Of Ingredients 18

eggplant
Fine sea salt
extra-virgin olive oil
white onion
garlic
garam masala
sweet paprika
black pepper
cayenne
tomatoes
chickpeas
mint leaves
cilantro leaves
scallion
garlic
lemon juice
fine sea salt
Plain yogurt

Steps:

  • Season eggplant slices all over with salt. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add 1 tablespoon olive oil and heat until it thins out in the pan. Add enough eggplant slices to fit in one layer without overlapping. Cook until the bottoms are browned, then flip and continue to cook until well browned and soft, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Add more oil if needed. Transfer cooked eggplant to a plate lined with paper towels, and repeat with more oil and eggplant until all the eggplant is cooked. Taste eggplant and add more salt if necessary.
  • Heat another tablespoon of oil in pan, then add the onions. Cook until softened and golden, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes longer. Add spices and cook for 1 minute, then add tomatoes, chickpeas and 2 tablespoons water.
  • Partly cover the pan and let the mixture simmer until tomatoes start to break down, 10 to 15 minutes. Add eggplant to the pan and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes, until sauce thickens.
  • While the eggplant cooks, combine all the ingredients for the chutney in a blender with 2 tablespoons water. Blend until puréed, about 1 minute. Taste and add more lemon juice or salt, or both, if needed.
  • Serve the eggplant topped with the chutney and yogurt if you like.

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