Eggplant Raita/Yogurt Dip (Katharikai Pachidi)



Eggplant may not be one of the top food in many people's favorite food list. But there are so many interesting and tasty dishes one can prepare using this vegetable. Eggplant referred to as Brinjal or Aubergine is technically a fruit and is a native to India. It contains numerous vitamins and minerals, plus eggplant contains phytonutrients, antioxidants which can help prevent damage from free radicals and protection from certain types of cancer. With so many nutritional benefits and also with a superb taste, there should be no reason why any body shouldn't try this recipe.

Preparation Time - 15 Minutes

Cooking Time - 2 Minutes

Serves - 2

Ingredients

Big Round Purple Eggplants - 2

Thick Yogurt - 2 Cups

Onion - 1

Salt - 1 Tsp

Cilantro - Chopped finely 1 Tbsp

Tempering

Sesame Oil - 1 Tsp

Mustard seeds - 1/2 Tsp

Green Chili - 1 to 2 as per taste

Asafoetida powder - 1/4 Tsp

Method

1) Wash and dry the eggplants.

2) In a medium open flame roast the eggplant one at a time, by rotating the eggplant once in a while, so that it gets evenly roasted on all the sides. Roast till the skin becomes charred and starts cracking. It is very easy to peel the eggplant after it is roasted.

3) Once the eggplant is completely roasted, remove it from fire and place it in a bowl and cover it for 10-15 minutes. This will ensure that the eggplant is evenly cooked on the inner side as well.

4) Once the eggplant is cold enough to handle with hands, peel the eggplant and mash it with your hands or a with a spoon.

5) To this mashed eggplant, add chopped onions, cilantro, salt, yogurt and combine thorougly.

6) Heat little oil, to this add mustard seeds. Once the mustard seeds stop spluttering, add asafoetida and slit green chilies. Leave this for a few seconds and then transfer it to the raita and serve.

Note - You can add grated carrots, chopped bell pepper etc. But a simple eggplant alone or eggplant + onion tastes great.

Event Participation

1) This goes to Healing Foods - Eggplant event by Seasoned & Dressed an event started by Siri.

2) This goes to Dish Name starts with E an event by Akhila.

Posted in: diabetic-sidedishes, glutenfree-sidedish, how to make eggplant raita, how to make eggplant yogurt dip, katharikai pachidi, side dish