Accidentally Delicious Baigan Ka Raita (Aubergines with Yogurt)

Hello guys! Hope you all are doing well. I've been meaning to post this recipe since FOREVER. Like literally. The first time I made this dish way back in 2017, never got around to posting it but you know one of those accidental recipes that turn out really yum? This is one of those!! So we had fresh aubergines growing on our farm and while making lunch we decide to randomly mix in some masalas, fry and serve with yogurt. A few days later I searched for more recipes like this and realized that there were many. One of them known is as Afghanee Bouranee. My version though, is super simple and easy.
I had a revelation just now that this will be a treat for all those on low carb/ keto!! Just replace yogurt with full fat Greek yogurt!

                       

                                       





Ingredients:

Brinjals/Aubergines 3, small-medium size, thinly sliced
Salt 1 tsp
Red Chili Powder 2 tsp
Turmeric Powder 1/2 tsp
Cumin seed, 1 tsp
Dried Red Button Chilies, a few
Garlic, 2 cloves, thinly sliced
Yogurt, 2 cups
Sugar 1 tsp
Oil, for shallow frying

Method:

In a bowl whisk together some yogurt, 1/2 cup cold drinking water, sugar and just a pinch of salt. Keep aside. Thinly slice the aubergines, mix in salt, red chili powder and turmeric powder. Heat oil in a pan, and fry the slices till they change their color. If you like it crispy, then fry till golden brown and crispy. (you can also brush them with a little oil and bake them as a healthier option). Once fried, set them in a dish, and pour over the yogurt mixture. Now using the same oil, prepare for the baghaar. Add in cumin seeds, button chilies and garlic, fry till light golden. Now pour the baghaar over the yogurt and serve fresh! Make sure you do the baghaar RIGHT before serving. Enjoooooy!

Margherita Pizza

There's an entire story (also a mini challenge) behind the making of this pizza. I was staying over at my moms and me and my brother were watching 'Ugly Delicious' on @netflix. David Chang was in Italy, known as the Pizza HotSpot. All them pizzas made us droooool. Brother suggested that we order in and I was like noooo Imma make it at home. He wouldn't accept and was adamant on ordering. I emotionally blackmailed him 'k behen pey thora trust karlo' and he agreed. So I made the dough, and prepped for the dinner. So he challenged, rather warned me that the pizza better be good 😂
Then came dinner time and the moment of truth!
The pizzas turned out DELICIOUS. LITERALLY. The sauce I made was a total tukka and it was a hit! So before I forgot the recipe I wrote it down and now sharing with you allllll :D
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Recipe:

FOR DOUGH
2 cups flour
1 cup warm water
2 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp salt
10g instant yeast (half packet of Rossmor Instant Yeast)

FOR SAUCE
2 cloves of garlic, roughly chopped
2 tbsp tomato ketchup
1 tsp crushed red chillies
1/4 tsp crushed black pepper
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp sugar
6 tbsp tomato paste (just grind some tomatoes)
A few leaves of fresh Italian Basil (I got them from theorganicfarmer)

Lots of Mozarella cheese and basil for topping. You can always add olives, chicken, pepperono, sausage etc. All upto you!

Method:

In one cup warm water, add sugar and yeast and let it sit for about 5 minutes. Put flour and salt in a big bowl and slowly add the water mixture. Mix and add as per need. Its important to slowly add water and keep kneading side by side. Knead till dough is soft and smooth. Now keep aside to proof. I kept my dough for about 3 hours.

While the dough is proofing, make your sauce. In a little bit of oil, saute some garlic till fragrant, then add tomato paste, tomato ketchup, salt, pepper, red chillies and a little bit of water. Cook till it gets a medium thick consistency.  Add water if its too thick. And just before turning the flame off, tear some fresh basil leaves and add it to the sauce.

Now preheat the oven. I used a gas oven this time instead of the convection one. It gives pizza a more earthy taste. I put it on full. And I also heated the pizza plate I put the pizza on to bake. The oven and the plate/dish need to be very hot! And be careful while placing the pizza on it.

Now take half of the dough and roll it out. Spread some sauce, lotsa cheese and freshly torn basil. Now bake for about 8 minutes, till the cheese has browned nicely. I initially cooked the pizza from the bottom (my gas oven only supports one side at a time so I turned on the bottom flame first, then broiled the pizza from the top by using the grill/top flame later.) Serve hoooooot and enjoy!