Mutabbal (Brinjal/Eggplant dip)

I have never been a fan of brinjal... but if there is a lot of this vegetable in season, and you happen to get a bagful every week... well...I had to think of some way to include this healthy veggie in my diet. I have been scouring the web for a nice recipe, when I came across this dish... and I felt it was a perfect substitute for our mayo.. :)
Mutabbal is a middle eastern dip or spread which uses brinjal as its base ingredient...

Brinjals-2 medium
Tahini - 2 tblsp
5 tblsp yoghurt
juice of 1 or 2 lemons according to taste
2 cloves of garlic grated
chilli powder- 2 tsp
salt to taste

Lightly oil the brinjals and give 3-4 pokes with a knife.

Grill the brinjals over an open flame (if you want a smokey flavour) or in an oven until the skin starts blistering and peeling.

The brinjal will be very soft to touch.

 Allow it to cool completely and then remove the skin. Mash the pulp and add rest of the ingredients. Blitz in a processor or blender till smooth.

       

 Serve as a dip with bread, veggies or meat.

                                       P.S. I read in one site that it is best served the next day.. :)

Brownie time ...:)

This is a brownie recipe from Hershey's... it has no melted chocolate.. just cocoa. Tried it out and I was glad that it came out well.. fudgy and chewy here and there. . Loved the flavour too... It reminded me of home made chocolates which my aunt used to make.. childhood memories are sooo sweet :)

Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 eggs
3/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

1. Heat oven to 350°F and grease a 13x9x2-inch baking pan.

2. Melt the butter and stir in the sugar and vanilla.

3. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well with spoon after each addition.

4. Add cocoa; beat until well blended followed by the flour, baking powder and salt; beat well.

5. Pour into the pan and bake for about 30 to 35 minutes or until brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan. Cool completely in the pan and cut into bars.

P.S. I made only half the recipe in a 9inch square pan.