Baingan bharta with Dahi + Koshimbir

BAINGAN BHARTA WITH DAHI + KOSHIMBIR (SALAD)

(Serves 02 persons with moderate appetites)

This is the maharastrian answer to the traditional north Indian baingan-bharta. Light on the stomach and healthy in every way, this one is worth a shot especially during the summer months.

DAHI-BAINGAN BHARTA : Ingredients

1 Large Baingan (aubergine)

1 large onion - finely chopped

Coriander - 1 handful - finely chopped

1 1/2 cups Dahi (plain yogurt)- chilled
Handful of chopped coriander

For Tempering (tadka) : 

Heat 2 tbsp oil + 1 pinch asafoetida (Heeng) + 1 tbsp Jeera (cumin seeds) + 1 green chilli chopped into 1/2" pcs + 1 small pinch turmeric. (be careful of chillies splattering)

1.) Rub a tsp of oil/ ghee all over the washed baingan and roast on an open flame. Peel and mash into a bowl.

2.) Add the chopped onion, coriander and dahi and mix well.

3.) Make the tempering and add into main bowl. Garnish with chopped Coriander.

4.) Tastes best when served with hot roti's.

KOSHIMBIR : Ingredients

1 Medium Onion - finely chopped

1 large Tomato - finely chopped

1 cucumber - cut into small cubes

1 Small green chilli- finely chopped 

Handful of Coriander leaves - chopped

Handful of Mint leaves - chopped (optional)

2 tsp Lemon juice

1/2 tsp black pepper powder

Salt/sugar as per taste

Mix all chopped veggies into a bowl. Add the lemon juice, pepper, salt, sugar and toss. 

Yes, its as simple as that. 

This 'koshimbir' is perfect to get your dose of raw vegetables and also adds wonderful colours to your plate. It is strongly recommended with spicy gravies and Biryani's.

Of Manic Mondays, Tuesdays , Wednesdays.....

Planning a different breakfast for each day of the week, for the easily-bored, always-in a hurry-eater is a daunting task for the rookie cook... Our mothers innovated breakfast and reinvented it by using up leftovers, and making sure we sustained on what we ate until lunch-time.


Not all of the recipes are fancy and complicated - some are plain common sense, but on days when you cant think of what to make, they'll give you some ideas and a ready list of groceries, or might just help you figure out how to to deal with leftovers.

Enough with the chat, and on with the mission!

Breakfast 1 : QUICK SUB & FRUIT SMOOTHIE 

(Serves 02 persons with moderate appetites)

QUICK SUB: Ingredients
2 soft boiled eggs - sliced
8 strips bacon rashers (can be substituted with chicken salami)
1 medium tomato - sliced
2 slices of cheese (optional)
6" long Baguette aka French bread ( i had left overs) /OR/ Simply toast 4 slices of bread

1.) Grill / Fry 8 strips of bacon rashers. Drain onto a paper towel.
     Meanwhile, Soft boil 2 eggs. Peel. Slice lengthwise into 4 pcs.
2.) Slice the baguette and assemble the sandwich with the bacon / sliced eggs/ tomato/     cheese. Stick it into the oven to grill if you feel like you have the time for it...and get     on with the juice.


FRESHLY BLENDED JUICE: Ingredients
1 1/2 cups orange juice ( i like the one with the pulp)
4 nos. fresh strawberries
2 tbsps honey / sugar

Just stick everything into the blender and give it a quick whirl!
The Vitamin C laden goodness will zap the sleepiest eyes open!

Breakfast 2 : MIXED FRUIT-MINT-HONEY

(Serves 02 persons with moderate appetites)

This quick breakfast took just 10 mins to put together this morning. I made this using Papaya and fresh Prunes (since that is what I had in the fridge), but you can use any combination of fruits for this one - Mango / Pear/ Guava / Grapes / Banana / Strawberries / Kiwi / Apples / Pineapple/ Melons (although I avoid mixing watermelon with a pulpy fruit - because it tends to make the fruit mix watery and soggy) etc. I also like sprinkling sunflower seeds/ pumpkin seeds over the fruit*.

Honey-mint dressing: (to drizzle over 1 medium bowl of fruit)
2 tbsp Honey + 1 tsp lemon juice + 1/2 tsp Salt + chopped mint (as required)

1.) Chop fruit into bite-sized cubes + Pour honey-mint dressing over it. Toss gently.
2.) EAT!

* Sunflower and Pumpkin seeds are powerhouses of vitamins, calcium and potassium. Sprinkle these over salads for a nutty-crunchy flavour.... One packet of each will go a long way. Google will help you find more detailed descriptions about health benefits.