Indian Stuffed Eggplant

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon chili powder 
• 2 teaspoons vindaloo curry powder 
• 4 small eggplants halved lengthwise
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 0.5 cup ghee clarified butter
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander 
• 1 large onion finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• 1 quart vegetable oil for frying

Equipment

• frying pan
• paper towels
• sauce pan

Directions

1. Scoop the inside out of the eggplant halves, leaving 1/4 inch of flesh attached to the skin. Roughly chop the removed eggplant, and set the shells aside.
2. Heat the ghee in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir the onion and garlic until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the coriander, vindaloo powder, chili powder, and salt; continue cooking 2 to 3 minutes until the spices are very fragrant. Stir in the chopped eggplant flesh, and cook until very soft, mashing as you go.
3. Pour in a little water if needed to keep the eggplant from burning. Keep the mashed eggplant hot over low heat.
4. Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
5. Deep fry the eggplant halves in the hot oil until crisp, about 5 minutes.
6. Drain upside-down on a paper towel-lined plate. Once drained, spoon in the reserved filling, and serve hot.