Apr 3 - Baingan Chokha (Smoky Fire-roasted eggplant dip Bihar style)

My friend and fellow blogger Anu Rao, author of Allergy foodie,  introduced me to a cuisine from her childhood and got me hooked. Food from the North Eastern State of Bihar is something you never see in restaurant menus in India, leave alone overseas. Almost makes want to stop complaining about the blatant ignorance of the food loving audience w.r.t Indian Food which seems to stop at the post Partition Punjabi imports of Chana Masala and Saag Paneer.
Baingan choka showcases Eggplant at its smokiest best - Fire roasted and mashed with a generous addition of finely chopped onions, ginger and cilantro, and finished with a drizzle of .. wait for it.. virgin cold pressed mustard oil.