Baigan Bharta (Roasted Mashed Eggplant) Pizza

Don’t get alarmed by the name.. give me a chance to explain.

When I was working in Bangalore, every Friday, I and my friend had to work on this boring task of allocating resources to the projects. I am not going to go into a detailed explanation of the task but believe me when I say that for those few months, this was one hell of a friday job that made us go crazy at times.

This friend of mine loves pizza and almost every Friday, it was our lunch. There were two main reason for that – first, it’s easy to eat pizza and work at the same time and second, it’s Pizza! And since Arvind also loves pizza, we would eat it for dinner as well.

So, at times I ate pizza back to back to keep my friend and my husband (who was then my BF) happy 🙂

Well, that definitely didn’t inspire me to make this Pizza, that’s actually how I lost interest in Pizza!

Few weeks back, Arvind took me to this Indian Pizza restaurant near our house. He kept telling me I will enjoy the pizza variety out there as it’s different and has very unique toppings. I was thinking how unique can it be.. right? Turns out, it was very interesting. It had every different kind of toppings from Indian cuisine, like ‘Matar Paneer’, ‘Kachodi’ and ‘Bhel Puri’ !

We ate a ‘Palak Paneer Pizza’ and a ‘Baigan Bharta Pizza’. It had the perfect crust, flavorful topping and was super delicious. I would have never ever thought of baigan bharta on pizza.

In the beginning of the month, when Kulsum announced ‘Yeast Dough’ as Monthly Mingle theme, I was doubtful if any entry would go from my side. Yeast and I are just getting to know each other, still not in the good friend zone. For me, it’s little spooky to knead the dough knowing the yeast is alive and in contact with your hand.

After some serious thought and few attempts, I must say yeast is fun to work with. They need some care and once you give that, they can rise the dough pretty high and nice. These little fellows need a lot of pampering and perfect temperature or they can die!

Kneading the soft dough was in-fact quite therapeutic and finally, I am getting to understand why people love baking breads at home.

I was not very sure how the pizza would turn out! Never really baked pizza at home and here I was trying out something with roasted eggplant as a topping. While clicking the pictures, I kept telling to myself ‘we will see if it worthy enough to share’ . Well, as it turned out, we were pretty happy with the taste. It was not as good as the one we ate in the restaurant but pretty good for first time.

I am not sure if it’s worthy enough or not, but I had told my friends I will try to get out of the yeast phobia and I sure did. That’s a pretty good reason for me to share this with you and Kulsum for the Monthy Mingle 🙂

Baigan Bharta (Roasted Mashed Eggplant) Pizza

Baigan Bharta (Roasted Mashed Eggplant) Pizza

Ingredients

For the pizza dough

  • 1 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
  • 1 cup warm water, not hot!
  • 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbs olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tbs sugar

For the topping

  • 1 big eggplant
  • 2 to matoes, roughly chopped
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 small onion, sliced in round shape
  • 2 cloves garlic,  finely chopped
  • 2 jalapenos, sliced in round shape
  • 1 tbs chilly flakes
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 cup cilantro, chopped for garnish
  • sharp cheddar cheese, I used just a little bit of grated cheese on top
  • salt
  • pepper
  • oil

Instructions

  1. Mix yeast with the warm water in a small bowl. Cover it and let it stand until it looks creamy. This should take about 7 minutes.
  2. In another large bowl, combine flour, olive oil, salt and sugar.
  3. Then, add the yeast mixture and mix it properly. Knead it for few minutes until its smooth and soft.
  4. Take a glass bowl and grease it with some oil. Keep the dough in the bowl and brush some oil on top of the dough.
  5. Cover it, keep it in a warm area and let it rise until it doubles in volume. This should take about an hour.
  6. While the dough is rising, you can start working on the toppings.
  7. Roasting the eggplant can be done either in the oven, stove top or grill. I used stove top.
  8. Pat dry the eggplant and brush some oil on it. Roast it until it soft and the skin starts to peel apart.
  9. Let it cool before you start mashing it. After it cools down, peel the skin off the eggplant and put in a bowl.
  10. Then, heat some oil in a pan and saute garlic and chopped onions.
  11. Season with some salt and pepper, and once it's translucent, add the tomatoes and continue cooking for about 2 minutes.
  12. Take it out from the pan and put in the mixing bowl with the roasted eggplant.
  13. Add cumin powder, chilly flakes and mash it until it's smooth.
  14. Place  dough onto a well floured surface and roll out into a pizza crust shape. (Don't worry about the shape much, just make sure it's evenly rolled out)
  15. In a baking pan, arrange the parchment paper and place the rolled pizza crust on it.
  16. Top with with the mashed eggplant mix and spread the mix evenly.
  17. Arrange the sliced onions and jalapeno over the eggplant mix.
  18. Grate some cheese on top and drizzle some oil.
  19. Bake it at 450 F for about 15 minutes or until it's slight brown and cooked through.
  20. Garnish with cilantro and serve!
© Playful Cooking

 

Did you enjoy this recipe? Share your creation by tagging @playfulcooking on Instagram with the #playfulcooking and I will re-share in my story!
August 24, 2011
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Comments are closed.

  • Manu
    August 25, 2011 at 12:12 AM

    Hehehehe an Indian Pizza place sounds awesome… it could be “my family restaurant”!!! LOL
    Great job on that pizza dough! And baigan bharta… well, that’s so flavoursome! I love it.
    AND… that picture with the eggplant and the smoke coming out is AMAZING! How did you do it?????

    • Kankana
      August 25, 2011 at 9:13 AM

      I know you will like that place for sure 🙂 And that eggplant photo .. well, had to click in like 3 minutes!

  • Anita Menon
    August 25, 2011 at 12:25 AM

    Looks so yummy. I love anything baigan.

    The photos are just amazing-esp the one where the steam is emanating from the baigan.

    hands working on the dough photos – Sexy.

  • Kulsum at JourneyKitchen
    August 25, 2011 at 12:43 AM

    awww awesome job Kanakana. I’m so glad it worked out for you and you could send your fab entry to Monthly mingle. Thank you!

  • Nami | Just One Cookbook
    August 25, 2011 at 1:05 AM

    Indian pizza! I had my first Indian pizza at my Indian neighbor’s daughter’s birthday party. They bought Indian Pizza (I think it was from this famous place in Redwood City) and OMG… I had a huge craving for this pizza until next year’s birthday! I requested the family they have to order Indian Pizza again! LOL. Your pizza looks fantastic! I can almost taste this. Great job on working on yeast. I’m going to work on it one day, when kids don’t need me all the time. Maybe I’ll ask you to come over and you can teach me? 😉 Great photos and gosh, now you started my craving for Indian pizza again! I’ll go crazy for sure…

  • Sia
    August 25, 2011 at 1:57 AM

    muaah… muaah… muaah… u have given me a reason to fall in love again with pizza 🙂 never in my wildest dreams i would have come up with baingan bharta pizza! i am intriguied to kw hw bhel puri pizza tastes!

  • Sissi
    August 25, 2011 at 2:33 AM

    Indian pizza sounds awesome! I have never heard about it, but yours looks so good, I start regretting there is no Indian Pizza restaurant in my city, only Italian 😉
    I know, I should make it on my own, but somehow I feel it will not be as great as yours…

  • REEMA
    August 25, 2011 at 4:08 AM

    Delicious…

  • Joanne
    August 25, 2011 at 4:23 AM

    I love turning non-pizza dishes into pizzas…i think it makes them that much better! This is definitely one tasty pizza!

  • Nash at plateful
    August 25, 2011 at 5:38 AM

    Just one word Kankana–AWESOME! Love the pizza, this flavor and your gorgeous shots. Especially the steamy shot, ah!

  • Rosa
    August 25, 2011 at 6:27 AM

    That topping is amazing! I really love the idea… A yummy pizza.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

  • sayantani
    August 25, 2011 at 6:48 AM

    what an idea kankana. thats a videshi version of our roti aur baingan bharta…awesome clicks.

  • Soma
    August 25, 2011 at 6:49 AM

    OMG this is fantastic!.. you won’t believe but this wkend I made a tart (veggie) with roasted eggplant and sundried tomato spread:) Not just the baigan, but ur recipe is one rife too 🙂

  • sally
    August 25, 2011 at 7:01 AM

    Indian pizza sounds fantastic! I love the combination of flavors!

  • Reem
    August 25, 2011 at 8:00 AM

    Lovely!!! I just woke to this my dear Kankana, I can smell bharta from the pictures. Looked at that lovely charred baigan…. Simply Fabulous.

  • Suzi
    August 25, 2011 at 8:10 AM

    Wow, that’s what I say, I wish you lived near me, I am crazy about pizza and your photos are so inviting. Mmmm.
    Suzi

  • Priyanka
    August 25, 2011 at 8:33 AM

    Awesome idea….great innovation 🙂
    U rock sis 😀

  • Jana @ delectably mine
    August 25, 2011 at 8:33 AM

    Wow, that looks so delicious. I eat homemade pizza quite a bit and am always looking for something new. This looks so interesting and unique I will have to try it.

  • Cilantro
    August 25, 2011 at 8:49 AM

    Lovely and delicious looking homemade pizza! I too loose interest on dishes I have repeatedly. I would definitely want to try making them at home especially after seeing you knead the dough but my husband does not like Pizza.

  • Kankana
    August 25, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    Thanks everybody for your comments. I myself couldn’t believe it’s ever possible and it tastes really good.

  • foodwanderings
    August 25, 2011 at 9:20 AM

    Kankana, I am dying here. I would like a slice please the nail in my coffin was the scorched eggplant. I am famished!! the pics pop!

  • Radhika @ foodfor7stages
    August 25, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    Pizza with indian flavored toppings is my absolute favorite. I can almost taste this pizza from the way you have explained. Loved all your pics and the smoking eggplant is gorgeous.

  • nisha
    August 25, 2011 at 9:55 AM

    that sure is one interesting combo…i am not a big fan of eggplant but yes improvising it with the toppings u mentioned do seem great:)

  • a spoonful of yumm
    August 25, 2011 at 10:43 AM

    im not very fond of baingan, but this is the most colorful pizza ive seen. i love the fusion idea !! 😀 maybe with this recipe, ill like baingan more 😉

  • Vimitha
    August 25, 2011 at 11:00 AM

    A unique pizzeria and unique toppings… Urs looks so different and would have an authentic desi touch

  • Spandana
    August 25, 2011 at 11:03 AM

    Pizza with Baigan ka bharta.. that’s one great idea….
    Lovely shots as usual!!! A treat to the eyes!!!

  • Kalyani
    August 25, 2011 at 12:07 PM

    looks new recipe to me and looks delicious ……..

  • Manju
    August 25, 2011 at 12:23 PM

    We have an Indian pizza place here too – love their butter paneer pizza 🙂 Talking about that, its been a while since we had any and maybe i should get some for dinner tonight 😀

    Baingan Bharta sounds like an awesome pizza topping..I definitely wanna try the bhel puri one too.

    Love that pic of the eggplant with the steam and all that 🙂

  • Tiffany
    August 25, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    I just want to reach in and grab some cilantro! This pizza looks fantastic! 😀

  • gloria
    August 25, 2011 at 1:35 PM

    This look amazing.
    Dear Kinkana about the Ice cream pics, is hard sometimes but now we are in winter still in South america, amyway in summer I hope the Ice cream are REALLY FREEZE to take the pictures because homemade ice cream is more soft than others. hugag, gloria

  • Jamie @ the unseasoned wok
    August 25, 2011 at 2:04 PM

    Kanakana i love how you captured the steam in the last pic. Whenever I photograph things in the wok (when my father-in-law is cooking) I always have issues with steam making the picture blurry. I think it’s the angle at which I’m shooting. I like how you used the black background to highlight the steam. Your photos are always so beautiful.

    • the good soup
      August 30, 2011 at 3:01 PM

      Yes, Kankana, I agree with Jamie, your eggplant photo is great! I have the same issues with steam, although it’s usually because I’m trying to take a photo of something in a pan with deep sides.

  • Kiran @ KiranTarun.com
    August 25, 2011 at 2:47 PM

    Kankana,
    So creative yaar! I just made baigan ka bharta for dinner. And this looks so delish!

  • Ann
    August 25, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    This is absolutely FABULOUS! I love eggplant… what a unique delicious idea!

  • Junia @ Mis Pensamientos
    August 25, 2011 at 4:36 PM

    kankana…. i am drooling as i look at this pizza. the roasted eggplant itself is enough. i love how you mashed it and this is just sooooo unique! i LOVE this!

  • Sandra
    August 25, 2011 at 4:48 PM

    You did a great job and that photo with the steam in magazine quality. I’ll have to share this recipe with my daughter in law she’d love this.

  • marla
    August 25, 2011 at 5:09 PM

    This pizza is such a great idea. Baigan Bharta is my favorite Indian dish.

  • Kelly
    August 25, 2011 at 5:15 PM

    Fabulous recipe. Hearty and inventive pizza – looks great.

  • Deepa
    August 25, 2011 at 7:12 PM

    What a delicious looking innovative pizza. Excellent clicks.

    Deepa
    Hamaree Rasoi

  • torviewtoronto and createwithmom
    August 25, 2011 at 8:35 PM

    innovative looks fabulous 🙂 we usually eat baigan bharta with rice and curry very nicely done Kankana

  • The Mistress of Spices
    August 25, 2011 at 8:51 PM

    This sounds great, Kankana! Reminds me of a pizza I recently had at a place called Pink Flamingo in Paris…it was called the “Gandhi” pizza and was topped with saag paneer and baba ghanouj. Very different but delicious! I can imagine that your baigan bharta pizza must be as well!

  • [email protected]
    August 25, 2011 at 9:42 PM

    Amazing! Love roasted eggplants (great smoke shot!) and the pizza looks out of the world delicious!

  • tigerfish
    August 25, 2011 at 9:50 PM

    Interesting…where is this Indian Pizza place? And I like that “smoky” eggplant photo too!

  • Kala
    August 25, 2011 at 11:09 PM

    Fantastic series of images. Looks so delicious!

  • Sanjeeta kk
    August 26, 2011 at 2:39 AM

    What a fusion of Italy and India in this beautiful Pizza! Love the bharta in new avatar, kankana.

  • Gautami
    August 26, 2011 at 2:55 AM

    Hey..very interesting indeed..i will definitely try it out 🙂

  • visda
    August 26, 2011 at 9:22 AM

    What a great post. I also eat a lot of pizza at work because of the same reasons as you. but this Indian style pizza brings it to a different level. What a creative way to make toppings and I love eggplant. I wish I could also go to that restaurant you talked about.:-)

  • sreelu
    August 26, 2011 at 9:29 AM

    this is seriously good for eggplant addict, next time you make it please invite me please please !!

  • Sandra's Easy Cooking
    August 26, 2011 at 10:08 AM

    INCREDIBLE!!! I am so exited to try this, as a huge pizza lover I have to say this is behind creativity! Nicely done Kankana!

  • Sandra's Easy Cooking
    August 26, 2011 at 10:09 AM

    LOL! Wanted to say “beyond creativity”:)) me and my spelling!:)))

  • Treat and Trick
    August 26, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    You have done a great job with the yeast! Unique topping and fantastic…

  • Kalyan
    August 26, 2011 at 9:11 PM

    The pizza looks delicious and so easy to prepare and the combination of brinjal and cheese would surely would add a completely different Indian flavour to it…can’t wait to have a slice of it.

  • Meena . T
    August 27, 2011 at 2:18 AM

    Hi!
    I enjoy your posts. This one is awesome!!!

  • Tes
    August 27, 2011 at 9:35 AM

    I would really enjoy this pizza! It sounds so delicious 🙂

  • Sonia
    August 27, 2011 at 2:23 PM

    Hey this is looking super delicious…. ! Great invention and thank you so much for sharing lovely recipe. congratulations for top 9, keep blogging and keep rocking, reagrds, sonia !

  • elle marie
    August 27, 2011 at 4:01 PM

    OH, SWOON, the taste of roasted eggplant is so divine, I really like the vibrant colors is your pie!

  • Priya
    August 27, 2011 at 5:32 PM

    Wow! Baigan bharta is one of my fav! I’ve had various indian topping but this seems unique… The smokey eggplant pic look hot!

  • wizzythestick
    August 27, 2011 at 7:21 PM

    You’re talking my kind of pizza right here! And that photo of the roasted baigain….squeeeeeee! Heaven.

  • Luv'n Spoonfuls
    August 27, 2011 at 7:47 PM

    Looks absolutely delicious, and you can see how tender the dough is in your photos. So yummy…wish I could steal a piece right now!

  • Yasmeen @ Wandering Spice
    August 28, 2011 at 1:31 AM

    Indian pizza is an absolutely GENIUS idea. Love the photos, drooling over here!

  • Mythreyi
    August 28, 2011 at 2:31 AM

    I love Baingan in any form, and Ohhooo, that EggPlant Photo with steam is really awesome… I can eat that whole baingan when it roasted…
    Pizza looks absolutely inviting….

    -Mythreyi
    Yum! Yum! Yum!

  • sarah
    August 28, 2011 at 9:15 AM

    Ah-mazing!! And that picture of the steaming eggplant…oh my! This sounds wonderful, I’m definitely keeping my fingers crossed for eggplant at the market!

  • Colleen
    August 28, 2011 at 10:55 AM

    Ooooooooh what is NOT to like about an Indian pizza???? I love it!! Will definitely have to try it for myself. Love your photos especially the one of the roasted eggplant with the steam rising. I would love to be able to take a photo like that!! I get the black background is essential, as would be taking the photo immediately the eggplant is cooked but what setting did you use on your camera pretty please??? Thanks for sharing and well done on your yeast post. Its awesome xx

  • Ameena
    August 28, 2011 at 1:45 PM

    I wish I had the patience and skill to make this because it looks delicious. But the truth is that I will have to admire it from afar thanks to my lack of experience!

  • [email protected]
    August 28, 2011 at 8:19 PM

    ooooh.. never thought of putting some bharta on the pizza.. that must have tasted fun! and probably funner to eat it.. than the regular roti subzi style!
    love the clicks.. esp the smoking eggplant!

  • lisaiscooking
    August 28, 2011 at 8:21 PM

    This sounds like a great pizza topping! And, fresh eggplant are so plentiful right now, this is perfect timing.

  • liren
    August 28, 2011 at 8:46 PM

    I love eggplants and it absolutely makes sense on a pizza. This looks so delicious!

  • Charles
    August 29, 2011 at 1:50 AM

    What a wonderful variation on regular pizza which all seems to be about meat, meat, meat these days. This looks absolutely delicious and my wife would adore it, I know! There used to be a restaurant near me which served amazing pizzas… tomato sauce, thinly sliced eggplant and sprinkled parmesan. So simple but so delicious!

  • Kitchen Belleicious
    August 29, 2011 at 6:44 AM

    Opps I hit submit on mistake. Okay lets try this again. Eggplant Pizza! GENIUS! I love eggplant and roasting it then putting it on a perfectly crispy and slightly sweet pizza dough is just fantastic

  • Tina (PinayInTexas)
    August 29, 2011 at 9:26 AM

    Great job on that homemade pizza, Kankana! I love eggplant and I’m sure I gonna love it on pizza!

  • Ramya
    August 30, 2011 at 1:56 AM

    I am sooooo loving it!! in fact i am head over heals over this Indian flavored pizza:-)

  • nancy at good food matters
    August 31, 2011 at 7:41 AM

    Wow! This one really resonates for our eggplant-loving household. terrific variation for pizza.
    and, I love that smoking charred ‘plant photo—well done!

  • Sandi G
    August 31, 2011 at 4:28 PM

    You may it look so easy, very creative!

  • [email protected]
    September 1, 2011 at 12:22 AM

    I love baigan bartha (a childhood favourite) and to make it in pizza form sounds that much more delicious! Great idea!

  • briarrose
    September 2, 2011 at 6:27 AM

    An unusual pizza….I like it!

  • Yesim
    September 3, 2011 at 12:52 AM

    when i first saw the photo of food, i thought it s a lahmacun which s a traditional food in Turkey , it s same brean on it ground mince, tomato onion and some spices.. i loved your idea as well.. 🙂

  • Ananda Rajashekar
    September 3, 2011 at 7:24 AM

    oh smoke from egg plant is sexy!! everything looks wonderful, indian topped pizza i SHOULD try!

  • Tanvi @ The Hathi Cooks
    September 5, 2011 at 10:30 AM

    I LOVE the photo of the steaming eggplant! I also love baigan bharta and feel like it would be perfect on a pizza! I’m definitely going to borrow this idea, I love it!

  • Eating Deliciously
    September 9, 2011 at 1:09 PM

    Love this recipe! I am always on the lookout for new pizza ideas and this fit the bill perfectly!

  • Vijitha
    September 11, 2011 at 10:39 PM

    Superb idea! What an idea sir ji??? lolz

  • Shumaila
    September 12, 2011 at 8:35 AM

    OMG! Absolutely love the pictures!!! Bharta is one of my husband’s favorite dishes, pizza is one of mine. This recipe is what I call a perfect marriage! Great work Kankana! Love it!!!

  • KLP
    September 26, 2011 at 10:58 AM

    I made this pizza over the weekend. First – the sauce was amazingly good. However, I question slicing up jalapeno and putting it on the pizza. We tried – WOW was it hot. And we like heat. I would up the red pepper flakes if you want more heat instead. The other modification we made was to use goat cheese instead of cheddar. Will definitely make again. We are using the leftover sauce to make calzones.