Chokha (Eggplant & potato )

Today i am going to share a traditional recipe with you all.Simply speaking, chokha, as they call it in Bihar, is a rustic dish of veggies cooked and coarsely mashed, topped with fresh flavourings like green chillies and garlic, and a drizzle of mustard oil. It can be eaten hot or cold.Mainly Chokha of eggplant and potato use to serve as side with Litti,Very simlar to Baati in Rajasthan in India but littis are stuffed Baatis.It is easy and quick to make and it has distinguish flavor of its own.So try it with Litti ,baati or just as a part of your meal as side and give me your Feedback.......


Ingredients-

Eggplant -1 (big one)
Pototo-1 (Medium size ,boiled)
Onion - 1 (small) (Finely chopped)
Tomato-1/2 (small)(finely chopped) optional
Green chillies -1-2 (according to taste) (finely chopped)
Garlic cloves- 1-2 pods (Finely chopped or crushed)
Ginger -1/2 inch piece (Finely chopped)
salt to taste
Mustard oil 1 tbsp (must)
Red chilly powder- 1/2 tsp
Garam masala- 1/4 tsp
Lemon juice -3-4 drops (optional)
Cilantro -(chopped)

Method-

1-Wash eggplant and wipe it ,prick it with the help of a fork and rub some oil on it.
2-Now there are two ways to cook eggplant for this recipe one is in Microwave which is quick and one is in conventional oven which will take little longer time ,i am giving both ways here ---

Microwave Method--Put the whole eggplant in a microwave safe dish and cook it for about 8-10 minutes or till tender.

Oven Method-Preheat the oven at 400 degrees ,put the eggplant in a shallow bowl or on cookie sheet and bake it for about 45-50 minutes ,turn often after every 10 minutes.

3-Let eggplant cool off slightly and peel off the skin and mash it well.
4-Peel and mash boiled potato and add it to eggplant.
5- Add all chopped vegetables excluding garlic.
6-Add salt ,red chilly and garam masala.
7-Heat mustard oil and let it come to smoking point,switch off the heat and add crushed garlic and add it to Chokha.
8-Add Lemon juice if required ,garnish it with chopped cilantro and serve.


I am sending it to Side Dish Showdown Event by Cinnamon Girl .