Aloo Baingan

About 500g aubergine, globe Indian variety, quartered
Olive oil for cooking the aubergines
¼ cup of neutral oil
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 teaspoon ground cumin seeds
1 teaspoon ground coriander seeds
½ tsp red chili powder
½ turmeric
½ ground black pepper
2 teaspoons of salt
1 onion
6 to 7 garlic cloves, crushed
1 inch ginger, crushed
3 medium tomatoes, about 450, finely chopped or blended in a food processor
1 green chili
2 medium russet potatoes (about 500g), peeled and cut into 1” cubes, placed in water to prevent browning
1 teaspoon lemon juice
chopped coriander for garnish
1 teaspoon garam masala (optional)

Pan-fry the eggplant and a quarter teaspoon of salt in a skillet with plenty of olive oil until you get a nice char to it and it softens.
Heat oil to medium high, add mustard seeds and cumin seeds waiting for either of them to crackle or pop.
Add onions and sauté until they just turn light brown.
Add garlic, ginger, green chili and curry leaves. Cook until fragrant, about a minute or two.
Add all ground spices and salt, except garam masala, cook for a minute.
Add tomatoes. Cook for about 5 minutes until oil separates.
Add potatoes and ½ cup of water, turn heat to medium high, stir. Cover and cook for 15 minutes. Check potatoes are almost done, cooking longer if required. Add more water if the mixture looks too dry.
Add aubergines and turn heat to medium. Cook for 5 minutes. Check potatoes and aubergines and cook longer if required.
Mix in chopped coriander, lemon juice, fenugreek leaves and garam masala.
Taste and adjust for salt.