Bharwa Baingan

Eggplant or Brinjal or baingan is commonly eaten vegetables in indian diet.It is cooked in variety of ways and they are available in various forms in market.Usually cooked with spices added to onion and Tomato mix.

At my homeplace, parents kept their weekend for growing some veggies at our kitchen garden and eggplant was one of them.Maa Paa sowed small plants in soil and nurtured those like thier babies.when the plants started laying fruits,fresh brinjals were plucked and mother used to cook bharwa Baigan by grinding the spices on silbatta.I think it is because of the fresh and best breed grown in our own place, eggplants are one of my favourite vegetables.

Choose eggplants that are firm and heavy for their size. Their skin should be smooth and shiny, and their color, whether it be purple, white or green, should be vivid.They should be free of discoloration, scars, and bruises, which usually indicate that the flesh beneath has become damaged and possibly decayed.The stem and cap, on either end of the eggplant, should be bright green in color. As you would with other fruits and vegetables, avoid purchasing eggplant that has been waxed.

Benefits of eggplant

1.Prevents anaemia

2.Increases brain function

3.Prevents cancer

4.Improves heart health

5.Great source of vitamins and minerals

This recipe uses a hint of peanuts,roasted whole spices and powdered spices.Gravy consists of onion ginger garlic and tomatoes cooked with spices thereby giving eggplants a fingerlicking taste.

Ingredients

For stuffing

🍆2 tbsp peanut
🍆Panchforan
🍆1 tsp coriander seeds
🍆1 tsp cumin seeds1 tsp cumin seeds
🍆¼ tsp methi
🍆¼ tsp fennel seeds
🍆¼ tsp carom seeds
🍆¼ tsp mangrail
🍆1 tsp kashmiri red chilli powder
🍆½ tsp turmeric
🍆1 tsp aamchur/dry mango powder
🍆Salt

For gravy

🍆350 gm small brinjal / eggplant
🍆3 tbsp oil
🍆1 tsp cumin / jeera
🍆pinch hing / asafoetidapinch
🍆1 onion, finely chopped1 onion
🍆1 tsp ginger garlic paste
🍆½ tsp turmeric
🍆½ tsp kashmiri red chilli powder
🍆½ tsp garam masala
🍆2 cup tomato chopped
🍆½ tsp salt
🍆½ cup water
🍆Finely chopped coriander for garnishing

Follow simple steps

1.Wash,clean and cut the brinjals in x-shape without taking off the stalk.

2.Prepare masala powder by roasting 2 tbsp peanuts until it turns crisp and roasting Panchforan along with peanuts,roast on low flame until spices turn aromatic. cool completely and transfer to mixi.

3.Add red chilli powder, turmeric, coriander powder,2-3 cloves of garlic, a green chilli,salt and amchoor.Blend to a fine powder without adding any water.

4.Now stuff in prepared masala powder to brinjal. keep aside.

5.In a large kadai, heat 3 tbsp oil and
add in stuffed brinjal and saute for a minute.

6.Cover and cook on low flame for 10 minutes or until its half cooked.
once the brinjal in half cooked, keep aside.

7.In the same oil, add 1 onion, 1 tsp ginger garlic paste and saute well.

8.keeping the flame on low, add tomatoes, ½ tsp turmeric, ½ tsp chilli powder and ½ tsp garam masala.
saute until spices turn aromatic.

9.cover and cook until oil separates from sides.

10.Now add in fried brinjal and add ½ tsp salt. mix gently.Pour in ½ cup water and mix gently.Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, or until brinjal is cooked completely.

11.Finally, add 2 tbsp coriander and enjoy bharwa baingan with roti or rice.