Eggplant and Chickpea Curry

Ingredients

• 1 large eggplant
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1/2 red bell pepper seeded and diced
• 1 1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/8 teaspoon asafetida (or 1 clove garlic, pressed)
• 1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes (fire-roasted preferred)
• 2 teaspoons ginger paste or minced ginger root
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne or other hot red pepper (less or more, to taste)
• 1 15-ounce can (or 1 1/2 cups) cooked chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup minced parsley or cilantro
• 1/4 teaspoon garam masala (start with less and add more to taste)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400F. Prick eggplant with a fork several times and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 40-45 minutes, until eggplant is sunken and soft all the way through. Remove from oven and set aside until cool enough to handle. Peel and chop the eggplant flesh.
2. Heat a non-stick skillet and then spray it lightly with vegetable oil. Add the onion and cook until it begins to turn golden. Add the bell pepper and cook for a few more minutes. Clear a spot in the center of the skillet and sprinkle the cumin seeds directly on the hot surface. Stir and toast them for about a minute, until they become fragrant. Stir them into the onions and peppers and add the coriander, turmeric, asafetida (or garlic), tomatoes, ginger paste, and red pepper. Add the eggplant and cook over medium heat, pressing eggplant with the back of a spoon to break up large pieces, for about 10 minutes. Add the chickpeas and enough water or chickpea cooking liquid to keep the mixture moist, cover tightly, and turn heat to low. Cook for at least 15 minutes, stirring periodically, until sauce has thickened and flavors have blended. (You can hold this dish on low for up to 45 minutes while you prepare the rest of your meal, but add additional liquid as needed and don’t forget to stir, scraping the bottom.)
3. Just before serving, add parsley (or cilantro), garam masala, and salt to taste. Serve with rice or Indian bread.

Notes

I used freshly-made garam masala, which is more flavorful than most store-bought blends; depending on your spice blend, you may need to add more to get the right flavor. Garam masala recipes vary, but my current favorite is to combine 1 tablespoon black cardamom seeds, 1 cinnamon stick (about 2 1/2 inches long), 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1 teaspoon whole cloves, 1 teaspoon black peppercorns. Grind in coffee or spice grinder until powdered. Heat a small, dry pan. Add spices and toast just until fragrant, about 1 minute. Remove from heat, transfer to a bowl, and allow to cool. Once cool, store in a sealed jar for future use.

Preparation time: 10 minute(s) | Cooking time: 1 hour(s) 5 minute(s)

Number of servings (yield): 4

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition (per serving): 208 calories, 16 calories from fat, 1.9g total fat, 0mg cholesterol, 548.5mg sodium, 634.6mg potassium, 41.7g carbohydrates, 11.6g fiber, 8.4g sugar, 8.3g protein, 3.5 points 

Pasted from <http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2011/01/eggplant-and-chickpea-curry.html> 

Spicy Roasted Eggplant Spread

Ingredients

1 eggplant

2 cloves garlic

juice of 1/2 lime

1 tablespoon tahini

1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

1/4 teaspoon cumin

1/8 – 1/2 teaspoon chipotle pepper (to taste)

1/2 cup cherry or grape tomatoes

Method

Preheat oven to 400F. Prick eggplant several times with fork. Place it on a baking sheet and roast until it is completely tender and sunken in on top, from 30 to 45 minutes. (I do this in a toaster oven to avoid heating up the kitchen.) Remove from oven and allow to cool enough to peel. Cut off the top and remove the peel.

With the food processor running, drop in the garlic and process until minced. Add the eggplant and all remaining ingredients except the tomatoes. Puree until fairly smooth. Add the tomatoes and pulse to chop coarsely. Serve in tortillas with lettuce, tomatoes, jalapeño peppers, red onions, or your own choice of vegetables.

Makes about 2 servings. Per serving: 123 Calories (kcal); 5g Total Fat; (30% calories from fat); 4g Protein; 20g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 553mg Sodium; 7g Fiber. Weight Watchers 2 Flex Points. (This analysis is for the eggplant filling only, not the tortilla or vegetables.)

Note: This recipe makes about enough to fill three smallish (7-inch) tortillas. If you’re looking for a dip or spread with more ummph (and protein) just add about 1 can of chickpeas (drained) along with the eggplant and double the tahini, lime juice, seasonings, and tomatoes.

The nutritional info for 4 servings would then be: 191 Calories (kcal); 6g Total Fat; (26% calories from fat); 8g Protein; 29g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 553mg Sodium; 6g Fiber. Weight Watchers 4 Flex Points.

from <http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2008/06/spicy-roasted-eggplant-spread.html>