Bouranee Baunjan I

Description
This is my take on the Afghan dish Bouranee Baunjan, and although it is not exactly authentic, it is quite delicious. :) It's a bit of work to put it together, but is not difficult and is worth it.



Ingredients
salt, to taste
 * 1 large globe eggplant
 * salt
 * oil (for frying)
 * 2 teaspoons olive oil
 * 1 teaspoon butter or ghee
 * 1 large onion, sliced thinly
 * 1/2 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced thinly (optional)
 * 1 pinch red pepper flakes, to taste
 * 1 (14-15 ounces) can chopped tomatoes, with juice
 * 1 cup strained yogurt (also known as yogurt cheese or "chakah")
 * 1/2 teaspoon crushed garlic, to taste

Directions

 * Clean the peel of the eggplant, then cut the stem off.
 * Cut into 1/2 inch thick slices (leaving the peel on).
 * Spread slices on a flat surface or tray and sprinkle generously with salt; let sit for 30 minutes, then dry well with paper towels.
 * In a skillet or pan melt the olive oil and butter together over medium low heat; sauté the sliced onion (and green pepper, if using) until nicely browned and slightly caramelized, then stir in the red pepper flakes.
 * Pour oil into a separate deep frying pan (one that has a lid) to cover the bottom of pan; over medium high sauté the eggplant slices on both sides until lightly browned.
 * As the eggplant slices are done, gently squeeze them with tongs to remove as much oil out of them as possible; discard extra oil.
 * Remove extra oil from the deep frying pan, then place one layer of eggplant slices on the bottom of the pan.
 * Place a bit of cooked onion on top of each slice; repeat with another layer of eggplant and cooked onion, until you're out of slices and onion.
 * Pour the chopped tomatoes with their juice over the slices and onion, careful to not dislodge the onion too much.
 * Cover and simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes, then remove cover and simmer another 5 to reduce the sauce a bit.
 * Combine the strained/drained yogurt, crushed garlic to taste, and salt to taste to make the chakah sauce.
 * When eggplant is done, remove from heat then carefully transfer the slices to serving dish (careful not to dislodge the toppings), then top each with a dollop of the chakah sauce.