Coconut Green Beans

Every so often when growing up in an Indian home, there's just not enough time to stew up something - so simple recipes become a way to satisfy the flavors without a lot of work.

One of these recipes is Coconut Green Beans. Basically it's a bag of frozen green beans with shredded coconut and other spices and takes no time to make.

Ingredients:

• 1 bag of frozen green beans, thawed
• 1/4 cup of shredded coconut
• 1 tsp of salt
• 1/2 tsp of pepper
• 1 tbsp. of oil

Directions:

1. Add oil to a pan over medium high heat.
2. Add shredded coconut and beans and saute for 7 to 10 mins.
3. Add salt and pepper

Baigan Bhartha (Spiced Mashed Eggplant)

So if you're a fan of Baba Ganoush - the Mediterranean pureed eggplant dish - Baigan Bhartha is a great dish to try.

Roasting the eggplant allows it to have a smoky flavor - which is enhanced by the cumin.


Baigan Bhartha 
serves 4, Prep: 20 min, Cook: 25 min.

• 1 eggplant, grilled in oven
• 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 1 medium onions, chopped fine
• 1 green chillies (adjust to taste, I used Indian green chillies)
• 1 tsp minced ginger
• 1/2 tsp minced garlic (optional)
• 1 tbsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 lime wedge or tbsp of lime juice
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish
• Salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 365 degrees. Use 1 tbsp. oil to cover the skin of the eggplant and wrap it in aluminum foil. Grill the eggplant for 30 min. or until soft- then cool, peel, mash and set aside.
2. Heat 1 tbsp. of oil in a pan add the chopped onions, green chillies, ginger and garlic with a pinch of salt.
3. When the onions turn pink (don't brown it too much), add the chopped tomatoes. Mix well and cook covered for about 10 mins, stirring once or twice in between. 
4. Once the tomatoes are cooked soft, put cooked veggies in a bowl. Add the garam masala, coriander powder and turmeric to the bowl.
5. Add the grilled eggplant and mashed. Once blended with other veggies, add cilantro and lime juice.