Eggplant and Potato Curry

• Recipe by Quick From Scratch Vegetable Main Dishes

Charring the eggplant before cooking is well worth the little bit of extra time it takes; it gives the whole dish an enticing smokiness. Serve the curry with rice (preferably basmati) and, if you like, top with additional chopped cilantro and tomatoes.

Ingredients

1. 2 large eggplants (about 1 1/2 pounds each), pricked all over with a fork
2. 3 tablespoons cooking oil
3. 2 onions, sliced
4. 2 cloves garlic, minced
5. 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
6. 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
7. 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
8. 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
9. 1 jalapeño pepper, seeds and ribs removed, minced
10. 1 pound baking potatoes (about 2), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
11. 2 teaspoons salt
12. 2 cups water
13. 3 medium tomatoes (about 1 pound), chopped
14. 2 tablespoons lemon juice
15. 1/2 cup chopped cilantro

Directions

1. Heat the broiler. Put the whole eggplants on a baking sheet and broil, turning occasionally, until charred and soft, about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
2. In a Dutch oven, heat the oil over moderately low heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the coriander, cumin, fennel seeds, and jalapeño and cook, stirring, for 1 minute longer. Add the potatoes, salt, and water and bring to a simmer. Cook, covered, until the potatoes start to soften, about 10 minutes.
3. Cut each eggplant open and spoon the pulp into the potato mixture. Simmer, uncovered, until the potatoes are tender, about 5 minutes more. Add the tomatoes and heat through, about 2 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and cilantro.