Smoked Eggplant Raita

Smoked eggplant pairs deliciously with yogurt. Add this raita to your rice, toast, serve as a side, or enjoy a dollop on its own. Be sure to get a good char on the eggplant. There should be no firm or raw pieces. 

makes ~4 cups

ingredients

1 medium eggplant

1 cup yogurt, plain

2 Tbsp red onion, minced

¼ cup toasted walnuts, chopped

2 Tbsp cilantro, finely chopped

1 tsp salt

Pinch of chili powder

1 Tbsp mustard oil

½ tsp cumin seeds

instructions

1. Rub the eggplant in olive oil and char on an open flame, turning every 3-4 minutes once the skin turns black. Remove from the heat and set aside to let cool.
    
2. Combine the yogurt, onion, walnuts, cilantro, salt, and chili powder in a bowl without stirring.
    
3. Remove skin from the charred eggplant, chop, and add to yogurt mixture. Heat up the mustard oil, pop the mustard seeds, and pour on top of the chili powder. This cooks the chili powder a bit. 
    
4. Chill for 2 hours and serve. 

ideas / variations

• Use almonds instead of walnuts.  
• Try mint instead of cilantro.