part one: the party

I have good news and bad news. The good news: Two of our favorite new friends have graduated from their business program! But the bad news is... they are moving. Both events are reason to celebrate (not celebrate them leaving, of course. You know what I mean...), so we threw them (and they threw themselves) a little party on Saturday night.

I really wanted Sujoy to cook for us, because he is a fabulous cook, if you remember. And, I wanted him to teach me a few dishes that I could replicate on my own. So I asked him to bring me something easy-ish to cook.

Eggplant.  This dish is called Baingan ka bharta: bachelor style (because he says it looks nothing like the original recipe). The first thing we needed to do was heat it up so that we can gut it, and throw out the skin. 15 minutes in the microwave did the trick. 



score it first



 Eggplant meats. Let it cool for a few minutes, then scoop out all the guts and set aside.

Next, thaw and drain some peas, chop a red onion and a jalapeño or two, and heat some oil in a pan.

Add mustard seeds and fennel seeds to the oil, then jalapeno and onion. Sautee and stir.

Then, add the equivalent of about 4 plum tomatoes, chopped. Heat through and add the eggplant and peas.

Finally, its time to add some spice. I'm not going to tell you how much to put in, because this was more or less improvised, and it all depends on your own taste. Some of the spices used were coriander powder, chili powder and chicken curry powder, and garam masala. Experiment with different Indian spices and taste as you go. If it starts getting a little too spicy, greek yogurt will mellow things out. Don't forget to top it with fresh cilantro before you serve!



we'll cook for you!

While Susie talked me through the eggplant (and did most of it himself), he also made his chicken curry.

He also brought over these already mixed cutlets. I've had two different versions of these so far this year, and they were both great. So I was eager to taste Sujoy's interpretation. His was a mixture of mashed potates, boiled and mashed green peas, cut onions, finely chopped cilantro and green chilies. We covered small patties in breadcrumbs, and fried them in hot oil.

Delicious and easy. My favorites.

spices

 This is Tharun.

Pleased to meet you, Tharun



a toast, to business!

 

pay no attention to the paper plate...



kiss the cook



thirds


 M2K2, Koti, Aditya, Susie blew out their candle and cut their cake, collectively.

Congrats, grads!

As the house began to quiet down, and the food ran out, M2K2 (I can say his full name, I just can't spell it...) showed us a bit from a Bollywood movie on his iphone. It was set in Spain. Naturally.

Happy trails, Ady and Susie. We'll miss you!
Now that I've "mastered" Indian cooking, what would you like to see FeDish try next?

m