The ingredient list for a curry can be a little daunting with all those spices, but the technique isn’t very far from a pasta sauce: you just toast the whole spices and then move on to a sort of sofrito of onion, garlic, and ginger. From that flavor base, you add tomatoes and whatever veggies you desire. At the end, a quick chutney, really just a rough chopped blend of herbs and coconut, gives the stew a bright pop of flavor (the way a few torn basil leaves make that tomato sauce sing).
Recipe information
Yield
4 and 1 lunch the next day Servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Heat oil over medium-high in a large skillet or Dutch oven. Add cumin and mustard seeds and cook 30 seconds, then add garlic and ginger. Stir constantly until garlic just begins to brown, about 1 minute, then stir in onion and a generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in turmeric and cayenne. Pour in tomatoes and their juices, scraping up any browned bits with a wooden spoon. Add eggplant, chickpeas, ¼ cup water, and a pinch of salt, stir, and reduce heat to medium-low. Cover pan and simmer until eggplant is tender, about 15 minutes.
Step 2
Remove from heat and add jalapeño, shallot, lime juice, and honey. Fold in coconut, mint, and cilantro. Season to taste with salt, black pepper, and lime juice.
Step 3
Top with a dollop of yogurt before serving.