AUBERGINES COOKED WITH TOMATOES

(Serves 3)

“WHEN visiting Kashmir and Jammu, I saw that thin, long aubergines were popular dishes among the Kashmiri Hindus,” says Romy.

“I am a big fan of aubergines and learning to cook and eat them in different ways is exciting. The sweet, sour tomatoes work well with the aubergines here.”

INGREDIENTS:

8 long thin aubergines (or 2 large ones), quartered lengthways, keeping the stem end intact so they are joined at the top; 1tsp salt; ½tsp ground turmeric; 8tsp mustard oil or sunflower oil; 1tsp brown cumin seeds; ½tsp asafoetida powder; 500g tomatoes, chopped; 1tsp ground ginger; 2tsp Kashmiri chilli powder; 100ml water; 2-3 chillies, halved (don’t remove seeds); Steamed rice, to serve

METHOD:

1. Place the aubergines into a large bowl and sprinkle with half a teaspoon of the salt and the turmeric.

Mix and set aside for 15 minutes.

2. Heat five teaspoons of the oil in a large pan over a medium heat and fry the marinated aubergines until light brown. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside to drain on a plate lined with paper towels.

3. To the same pan, add the remaining three teaspoons of oil, then add the cumin seeds and asafoetida. When they start sizzling, add the chopped tomatoes and cook for five to six minutes until they are soft.

4. Add the ground ginger and chilli powder, along with the remaining half a teaspoon of salt. Add the water and cook for two minutes, then return the fried aubergines to the pan.

5. Add the green chillies and cook for another five minutes, stirring occasionally.

6. Remove from the heat and leave to rest for 30 minutes before serving with steamed rice.