Baighan Bharta and Lentils Dip.....

I love veggie dips, and since I came to Canada, I have been discovering the beauty of grains and veggies in another way.

Baighan Bharta (Eggplant dip Indian style)

2 eggplant
1/2 onion (chopped)

1 garlic clove

1 piece of ginger (grated)

½ teaspoon  coriander (crushed)
½ teaspoon  cumin (crushed)
¼ teaspoon turmeric
3 tablespoons olive oil
Chili powder
Smoked paprika
1 tablespoons mint leaves (chopped)
1 tablespoons cilantro(chopped)

1 tablespoons lemon juice
4 tablespoons of Greek yogurt
4 tablespoons of cream cheese

Olive oil

Cut the eggplant in cubes. Salt it, and leave it for 30 minutes. Wash it, and cook it in boiling water until fully cooked. Drain the eggplant to remove water.

In a pan, heat the olive oil, and cook the onion until translucent. Add the garlic and ginger, and cook it for 3 minutes. Incorporate the turmeric, cumin, and coriander. Add the eggplant, and mix it well. Add the yogurt, cream cheese, chili, and paprika. Season it for salt. If you want, then you can mash the eggplant with the fork (I didn’t do it). Add the lemon juice, mint and cilantro. Stir it well, and serve it warm.

After I made the eggplant dip, and taste the yogurt/cream cheese combination, I made the following dip with some leftover cooked lentils.

Lentil Dip

1 cup cooked lentils
Salt
1 teaspoon of Lemon juice
1 teaspoon of grounded cumin
Olive oil
1 garlic (chopped)
3 tablespoons of Greek yogurt
3 tablespoons of cream cheese
Smoke chili powder
Green onions (chopped)

In a food processor, mash the lentils (you can use a little bit of water). In a pan, heat olive oil at medium heat, and add the garlic. Cook it for 1 minute, and add the cumin until it is fragrant. Incorporate the lentils, and stir it well. Add the yogurt, and cream cheese. Season it with salt, and chili powder. Add the lemon juice, and serve it with olive oil and green onions. Mix it. ENJOY!

Over the summer, I enjoyed this Brocheta the Tomates, Mozarella y Pesto , but I did it with grape tomatoes and boconccini...it is a great idea and for sure will be repeated over this Christmas because of the colors....Thanks Sofia!! 

And if you want to participate in the Christmas Raffle, then leave a comment in the following link

http://foodtravelandwine.blogspot.ca/2012/11/diwaliy-sorteodiwali-and-raffle.html