My Inner Shakti

finding strength in everyday things

  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Me
  • Recipes
  • Restaurants

Creamy Eggplant and Potato Shak (Recipe)

written by Parita 8 Comments

*Shak is a generic north Indian term for vegetables in spices.

While in Chicago, I learned a lesson in Indian cooking from my friends Roshni and Ankita.  Keep it simple!

You see, I have the tendency to overcomplicate my Indian food with too many vegetables, spices, etc.  But after watching them make delicious dishes using one or two vegetables and just a few spices, I quickly realized I was doing it all wrong.

And Vishnu agreed.  After eating Ankita’s cauliflower and potato shak one night, he looked at me and said, “See, you have to keep it simple.”

Well, that’s what I plan on doing from now on!

In fact, I made a dish last night that was simple enough to prepare but didn’t lack in the flavor department.  This potato and eggplant shak is creamy, comforting and perfect with a side of rice and yogurt.

I can’t take all the credit though.  When I mentioned my new “keep it simple” rule to my mom, she told me about a sauce she makes that pairs well with all kinds of veggies and beans.  I even got her to email me a loose “recipe!”

And that, my friends, is how this Creamy Potato and Eggplant Shak was born!

Eggplant and Potato Shak 206

Without further ado…

Creamy Potato and Eggplant Shak

For the sauce:
2 cups water
1 large onion, roughly chopped
1 14 oz can diced tomatoes
3 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
1 small green chili, cut into several small pieces
1 tablespoon minced ginger
1/3 cup raw whole almonds
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon garam masala

Heat water in a medium saucepan over high heat.  Add all of the ingredients to the water, except salt and garam masala.  Stir to combine.  When the mixture starts to boil, reduce to medium heat and allow to cook for 10 minutes.  Drain the mixture, reserving the water.  Place onion/tomato mixture in a blender and puree until combined into a thick paste.  Place saucepan over low heat and add olive oil.  Pour onion/tomato mixture back into the saucepan. Add salt and garam masala.  Mix everything together, cook for additional two minutes and set aside.

For the vegetables:
2 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
2 large Idaho potatoes, peeled and diced
1 medium eggplant, diced
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon red chili powder

Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over high heat.  Add cumin seeds and cook for 1-2 minutes until they are deep brown and fragrant.  Add potatoes along with 2/3 cup reserved water [from sauce].  Reduce heat to medium, cover the pan, and cook for 5-10 minutes until potatoes are almost cooked through but still firm to the touch.  Gently fold in eggplant.  Cover and cook for an additional 5 minutes until eggplant is cooked through.  Add turmeric, salt, and red chili powder.  Mix well.  Cook for 2 more minutes.

Add the sauce to the vegetables along with 1/3 cup reserved water [from sauce].  Gently mix everything together, cover, and allow to simmer for a few minutes.  Add additional salt if needed.

Serve with naan/rice/quinoa and yogurt.

Happy Friday!

Related Posts

  • Choosing Our Words a Little More CarefullyChoosing Our Words a Little More Carefully
  • Corn CurryCorn Curry
  • How I Integrate Life, Work, and BloggingHow I Integrate Life, Work, and Blogging
  • The Start of SpringThe Start of Spring
  • 2 Weekend Updates2 Weekend Updates

Written on October 10, 2014 Related:Indian Food, Recipe

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Khushboo says

    October 10, 2014 at 5:48 am

    Mmm this looks delish, P! I am really enjoying Indian food lately so will definitely be trying this out! I’v been on a daal kick- who woulda thought that something as simple as lentils & rice could be comfort food!!
    Khushboo recently posted…Peanut Stir FryMy Profile

    Reply
    • myinnershakti says

      October 13, 2014 at 8:01 pm

      Daal is on the menu this week! Mmmm…

      Reply
  2. Monica Shah says

    October 10, 2014 at 10:20 am

    I am definitely going to make this!

    Reply
    • myinnershakti says

      October 13, 2014 at 8:00 pm

      Let me know if you do!!

      Reply
  3. Shashi @ runninsrilankan says

    October 10, 2014 at 11:41 am

    I adore I mean ADORE Indian food – and am fascinated by most of the curries I taste in restaurants – thanks for breaking this down – fascinated by the whole almonds in the sauce! And those vegetable – with or without the sauce sound so appetizing! YUM!
    Shashi @ runninsrilankan recently posted…Amidst The Chaos…My Profile

    Reply
    • myinnershakti says

      October 13, 2014 at 8:00 pm

      The almonds blend up in the sauce but add a nice nuttiness. My mom told me to add cashews as well but I didn’t have any!

      Reply
  4. Arman @ thebigmansworld says

    October 10, 2014 at 6:59 pm

    YUMYUMYUM. I think there is an unfair stigma on Indian cuisine that it is anything but simple- but I love the simple combinations of spices and a few key veggies to do the trick. Love potatoes so definitely bookmarking this!
    Arman @ thebigmansworld recently posted…Single Serve Chocolate Chunk CookiesMy Profile

    Reply
    • myinnershakti says

      October 13, 2014 at 7:59 pm

      To be honest, I’ve always thought it was the most complicated cuisine. But in reality all you need are a few key spices and some veggies! It’s probably some of the simplest food to make!

      Reply
Welcome to My Inner Shakti! This is my little corner of the internet where I explore and share more about the things that give me my inner strength. I hope you stick around! Read More Here...
Subscribe to MIS

Sign up now to receive all the latest from My Inner Shakti straight to your inbox!

Follow me on Feedly!

follow us in feedly

LOVE my blog!

Follow on Bloglovin

categories

Archives

Top Posts!

  • My Experience with Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 5 Ways to Incorporate Coconut Oil into Your Beauty Routine
  • An Honest Review of “Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead”
  • 30 Random Blog Post Ideas
  • Acne Update: Jojoba Oil + Tea Tree Oil
  • The 3 Things I Am Not
  • Sunshine Juice (Recipe)
  • Vidhi
  • Girls Weekend in Asheville
  • Focus T25 – Week 2 (Beta)

Follow me on Instagram!

Copyright ©2023, My Inner Shakti. All Rights Reserved. Custom design by Pixel Me Designs