Eggplant with Sun Dried Moong Wadi

Ingredients:

Baby Eggplant 5
Garlic 1 Clove
Dried Moong Wadi 1/4 Cup
Red Chile Powder 1/2 tsp
Turmeric Powder a Pinch
Salt to taste

Talimpu: 

Mustard Seeds 1/4 tsp
Cumin Seeds 1/4 tsp
Urad Dal 1/4 tsp
Broken Dried Red Chiles 3 – 4
Asafoetida a Big Pinch
Curry Leaves 5
Oil 2 Tbsps

Method of preparation:

Remove stems, wash and chop the eggplant into big chunks.
Soak the eggplant in water mixed with turmeric powder to avoid oxidation.
Peel and mash the garlic clove.

Heat oil in a pan, add sun dried moong wadi and deep fry them on low flame till they turn golden brown and crisp.
Remove the deep fried moong wadi onto absorbent paper.

Heat oil in a pan, add all talimpu ingredients in order.
When mustard seeds start spluttering, add garlic, chopped eggplant and salt.
Stir for few seconds, add red chile powder and quarter cup of water.
Cook covered on low flame till eggplant is soft.
Stir in deep fried sun dried moong wadi and cook covered for a minute but not to turn them soft.
Serve eggplant with sun dried moong wadi over plain steamed rice or with roti or chapati.

Notes: Make sure to cook the eggplant well.

Suggestions: If eggplant tends to stick to bottom of the pan, stir occasionally and add a splash of water if required.
Variations: You can also add a pinch of garam masala along with moong wadi to make the curry hot.
Other Names: Eggplant with Sun Dried Moong Wadi, Vanakaya Vadiyalu Kura.