Mashed Grilled Eggplant with Tamarind and Chiles

Vibrant, tart, nutty, spicy-hot and smoky this curry has an almost pickle-like quality to it and packs oomph in every small mouthful. I think the starchy, soothing Rice with Yogurt and Mustard Seeds is a perfect combination with this curry—a dollop of the eggplant embedded in the rice and slid into the mouth, just as my grandmother did when she hand-fed us as toddlers.