Eggplant and Beans with Poppy Seeds

Vankaya Chikkudukaya Gasa Gasala Kura.

Baby eggplants and fresh beans makes a good combination. Eggplants are chopped into chunks and fresh beans are chopped into inch long pieces. Oil is tempered and ground onion is fried before adding eggplants and beans. They are then cooked in poppy seeds paste and little milk till soft.
Makes: around 3 Servings of Vankaya Chikkudukaya Gasa Gasala Kura.

Ingredients:

• Small Indian Eggplants 4 – 6 Medium
• Fresh Beans 10 app.
• Poppy Seeds 1 tbsp
• Onion 1 Small
• Green Chillies 4 – 6
• Ginger 1 inch Piece
• Garlic 1 Clove
• Turmeric Powder a big pinch
• Milk 1/2 Cup
• Salt to taste

Talimpu:

• Urad Dal 1/4 tsp
• Cumin Seeds 1/4 tsp
• Mustard Seeds 1/4 tsp
• Asafoetida a pinch
• Curry Leaves 10
• Oil 1 tsp

Method of preparation:

Wash, snap both ends of the fresh beans and chop them into inch long pieces.
Wash, remove stems and chop brinjal into small cubes.
Remove stems, wash and roughly chop the green chiles.
Peel and roughly chop the ginger and garlic.
Peel and roughly chop the onion.
Grind the onion into coarse paste adding least amount of water.

Soak poppy seeds in few tablespoons of water for couple of hours.
Grind poppy seeds into fine paste using a spice blender.
Grind green chiles, garlic and ginger into fine paste adding enough water.

Heat oil in a pan, add all talimpu ingredients in order.
When urad dal changes color, add onion paste.
Fry till onion is cooked and then add green chile paste, chopped beans, eggplant and turmeric powder.
Fry for a minute and add milk, ground poppy seeds paste and salt.

Cook covered on medium – low flame till beans and eggplant turns soft.
Taste and adjust any seasonings required and remove from heat.
Garnish with fresh curry leaves or chopped cilantro if desired.
Serve eggplant and beans with poppy seeds over plain steamed rice and a dollop of ghee.
Notes: Make sure eggplants are cooked well.

Suggestions: For more liquid like consistency, add more poppy seeds paste or milk and cook for couple more minutes before serving.
Variations: If baby eggplants are not available, choose eggplants that hold their shape when cooked.
Other Names: Vankaya Chikkudukaya Gasa Gasala Kura, Eggplant and Beans with Poppy Seeds.