The day before we started this marathon I told Mr.U I was going to be busy the next one month as I will be on a virtual culinary world tour and he asked if I was stopping in Russia. He said I should not upset President Putin's and be in his good books as he is most influential politician in the world. I replied I am making a stop in Russia and Mr. Putin might be unhappy when he comes to know you refused to taste the Russian food I cooked. 🙂 U did not taste today’s dish as he is not very fond of eggplants.
On our culinary tour around the world, we travel to the largest country in the world, Russia. For Russia I made vegetarian caviar or also known as poor man’s caviar. This eggplant preparation and taste is similar to baingan bharta, chokha made with eggplant in Bihar and also some versions of brinjal chutney made in various parts of India. It is usually served with rye bread or with sesame crackers as I did. I used tomatoes in the preparation and saw some recipes that used tomato paste which gave the caviar a nice red color.
Adapted from : NYT
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Baking Time: 1 hour
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Yields: ½ cup
Ingredients:
- 1 medium sized Eggplant, approx. little over ½ pound / 250 grams
- 1 ½ tbsp. Oil
- ¼ cup chopped Onion
- 1 – 2 tbsp. chopped Green Peppers (opt.)
- 2 Green Chilies chopped, approx. 1 tsp. chopped green chilies (my addition)
- ½ - 1 tsp. Garlic crushed (I like garlic and added 1 tsp.)
- ½ Tomato chopped, approx. ⅓ – ½ cup chopped Tomatoes
- ⅛ tsp. Sugar (I did not use it)
- ¼ - ½ tsp. Salt (Adjust to taste)
- Dash to a pinch of Black Pepper Powder (pinch is ⅛ tsp.)
- ¼ - ½ tsp. Lime Juice or as per taste
- Sesame Seeds Crackers for serving
Preparation:
- Preheat the 425 F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place the eggplant and bake for 1 hour turning it once or twice in between. Skin should be charred.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool. Peel the skin and scoop out the pulp. Or, cut the eggplant in half and scoop out the pulp.
- Heat oil in a pan and sauté onions until soft.
- Add garlic, green peppers and sauté for another 2-3 minutes until green peppers are soft.
- Add tomatoes, eggplant pulp, and salt and mix well.
- Cover and cook for 3-4 minutes until tomatoes are soft and mushy.
- Uncover and cook until the mixture becomes dry and all the juices evaporate.
- Add pepper and mix well. Continue cooking until the mixture comes together.
- Sprinkle lime juice and mix for a minute.
- Transfer to serving bowl and chill until ready to serve.
- Serve with rye bread or sesame crackers.
Note:
- For a red color, use tomato paste instead of tomatoes.
cookingwithsapana says
That poor man's caviar sounds so delicious. Clicks are amazing..
PJ says
Interesting dish Usha and as usual your clicks are stunning!Enjoyed the conversation too 🙂
themadscientistskitchen says
Ha ha ! Love your conversation! As for the caviar I am sure this poor woman can also make it.
Chef Mireille says
The first paragraph had me laughing so hard but I agree with your hubby on the eggplant dish and am afraid I would be upsetting Mr. Putin also
Suma Gandlur says
I was expecting a non-veg dish since I neglected the poor man part in the title. 🙂
This is surprisingly an interesting spread for crackers.
Pavani says
Very interesting vegetarian caviar recipe. I'm definitely going to try this one (you know that right??)
Harini says
Interesting substitution, Usha!
manjulabharathkumar says
wow this poor mans cavier seriously is so tempting 🙂 love the way you have made it veggie with brijals dear 🙂 It is similar to bhira chokha as pradnya said I made for My thali i remember 🙂 very tempting captures !!
Priya says
I have tried this poor man's caviar long back, this is one of my favourite. Lovely set up there.
Vaishali Sabnani says
I am trying to substitute Brinjals with bottle gourds..since can't eat Brinjals..the dish looks great with amazing clicks.
Varada says
Not being a fan of eggplant myself I can understand his reaction to the dish. 🙂 Loved the styling of the bowl in bowl picture.
pumpkinfarmfood says
Lol...nice post , glad you made him happy by making a dish from his country :), this one is indeed like the bihari chokha...nice pictures as always
Srivalli says
hahaha..nice knowing your conversation with Mr. U..your pictures make me want to reach out...Hope President Putin is happy with your choice..:)