Baingan Bartha

Baingan Bartha is a super tasty Indian dish that is fairly easy to prepare, and a great way to use eggplant! If you think you don't like eggplant, try this. It's amaaaaazing. Serve with rice.


1 lg eggplant

Doesn't look so purty, but it tastes great!

2 TB oil
1 lg onion, minced
1 tsp brown mustard seeds
1 tomato, chopped
4 garlic, minced
1 inch ginger, minced
1 medium-large anaheim (milder) or 4-5 jalapenos (spicier), minced
1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
additional spices I'm going to add:
1/2 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp coriander
1/2 tsp hungarian paprika
1/4 tsp salt or soy to taste

 1. Halve the eggplant lengthwise. Place, skin side up, on a greased cookie sheet, and broil on high about 4 inches away from flame for 15-30 minutes, until softened and skin is charred. Let cool and scoop out inner pulp to use later.
2. Saute onion and mustard seeds in some oil for about 3-4 minutes on medium high heat, stirring often, till softened.
3. Add pepper, cook about 4 more minutes, add tomato, cook a few more minutes, add garlic, garam masala, coriander, paprika and salt, cook for a few more minutes.
4. Mash in the eggplant, and stir in cilantro.
5. Serve with rice and/or naan.

Ended up being about 2 large servings or 4 smallish "what's-probably-an-actual-serving-size" portions. I like things pretty well spiced, so you can totally add another eggplant and not increase the other ingredients and it'll still be great, more than that (like 3 or 4 eggplants) and you'll want to double everything.

*modified from
http://www.rice-n-curry.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=55:baigan-bharta-north-indian-vegeterian&catid=9:weekdays&Itemid=14

Skin Care: honey oil makeup removal and apple cider vinegar toner

My garden

I love to make things from scratch. It's one of my very favorite things, and I take an almost sadistic pleasure in it. It's not because I think I'm saving the world, but stems more from a deep sense of penuriousness and lack of willingness to spend money unless totally necessary, or on an insane whim. It makes no sense. I'm really not a miser. It's not like I hoard money, though perhaps I would if I made more than what puts food on the table and covers rent each month. No, I attribute it to growing up with a diy-type single mom, somewhat poor.

So anyway, I really like to make shit myself, from brewing my own salves instead of neosporin, to infusing my own damn vodka with anything from herbs to fruits instead of buying preflavored ones like a schmuck. It's more fun that way.

A few things I haven't yet found it acceptable to concoct are actual diy shampoo, makeup and soap. I refuse to work with lye, and I'd rather just not wear makeup than go to the trouble of making my own. I have found a few good substitutes for shampoo (apple cider vinegar, or even beer), and for conditioning, there is the well-known mayo or avocado hair mask (banana and olive oil also widely used) but they aren't for everyone, and half the time I don't bother.

Something I've found to be amazing for my skin is the following routine and "recipes" it is based upon. I like to just use as much as I need each night, but you can make a batch of acv toner ahead of time if that works better, but it will only last a few weeks to a month, however.

1. Remove makeup with oil instead of whatever gross thing you've been using:

• Pour 1-2 tsp of oil (almond, avocado, grapeseed, even olive oil are great) in your palm
• Squirt in 1/2 tsp honey and mix
• Apply all over your face, especially places of great makeup congregation
• Either wipe with warm water and a washcloth, or just splash and rub your face with your hands to remove the oil

2.  Tone with apple cider vinegar toner:

• Mix 1 tablespoon filtered or distilled water (or even rose water) with 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar and 5 drops of tea tree oil, lavender, and frankincense (optional*) in a little bowl
• Dip cotton balls, toilet paper, or even a washcloth or edge of a towel into the toner and rub around on your face! Or use a spray bottle and spritz. 

 Sometimes I even spot treat stubborn zits with 1/4 tsp acv, 1/4 tsp water and 5-10 drops tea tree oil, which would probably be too harsh for more sensitive skin. At first I spot treated with this and splashed water on my face to get some off so it wasn't so intense, but soon realized there wasn't much need for it, personally. Everyone's skin is different. 

*I would recommend investing in tea tree and lavender for skin care, as they are relatively cheap and super effective and wonderful. Tea tree helps combat acne and fungus, while lavender helps with elasticity and tone.