Smoked brinjal mash is the milder version of a fire-roasted eggplant dish or baingan bharta. This brinjal recipe is stripped of the heavy spice base, fried onion masala, and tomato gravy that accompany most baingan bharta recipes. What this recipe entails is using a large eggplant roasted directly over an open gas flame until the skin is completely charred and the interior is ultra soft. What follows is just the seasoning of lime juice, finely chopped green chilli, and white pepper. Nothing more is needed.
The technique of direct flame-roasting is what gives smoked brinjal mash its defining flavour and name. The scorching heat creates a rich woody smokiness that cannot be replicated in an oven or with a stovetop pan. The brinjal skin chars completely, and that char transfers a trace of its bitterness and complexity to the flesh beneath it. Once peeled and mashed, the pulp carries all of that flavour. The lime juice also sharpens the overall taste and neutralises the natural bitterness of the eggplant.
This smoked brinjal mash is suited to every occasion, be it a weeknight side dish with roti, an accompaniment to plain rice and rasam, a spread on flatbread, or even a dip for crudités. It is naturally vegan, gluten-free, low in calories, and ready in under 20 minutes from start to finish.
1Large brinjal (aubergine/eggplant), whole
1-2 Green chillies (finely chopped), adjust to taste
from 1 limeLime juice
¼ tspWhite pepper (or to taste)
to tasteSalt
a few sprigsFresh coriander (finely chopped), to garnish
a few dropsRaw oil, to finish (optional)