Traditional Baingan Bharta or roasted eggplant recipe

This traditional style of making mashed Brinjal or Eggplant is a favorite dish in all Indian households. Baingan ka bharta is famous for its unique taste and flavor and is a much healthy food unlike other Indian recipes which uses a lot of oil and spices. The eggplant which is the main ingredient in this dish is rich in dietary fibers and Vitamins like B6 and C. It is also roasted which ensures that all its essential nutrients are preserved. It is low in fat content, making it a delightful preparation for both the taste buds as well as the waist line. The below recipe uses less spice and oil but you can add more spice if you want to add a little more flavor to the dish. It makes a serving for two.

Ingredients:

Eggplant: 1, large.

Onion: 1, finely chopped

Tomato: 1, finely chopped

Green Chilli: 1, finely chopped

Salt: ¼ tablespoon

Turmeric powder: ¼ tablespoon

Garam Masala: ¼ tablespoon

Red chili powder: ¼ tablespoon

Oil (mustard or vegetable): 3 tablespoon

Coriander leaves: for garnish

Active time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 15 minutes

To prepare this dish, you will need to wash the brinjal (eggplant) and dry it with a clean cloth. Next, you need to take 1 tbsp of the oil and rub it all over the eggplant covering the entire body and put it on top of the gas burner to roast for about 10 minutes turning the sides from time to time. You can use the stem to hold the eggplant. 

Once it is roasted, wash the eggplant in running water and peel out the skin.

Now, cut off the stem and take out the remaining eggplant and mash it properly inside a medium sized bowl.

Heat the remaining oil in a non-stick pan and add the chopped onions and green chili and fry till the onion turns golden. Now add the tomatoes, salt, turmeric, garam masala and red chili powder and fry the entire mixture till it becomes tender and leaves water. Once the mixture is cooked, add the mashed eggplant and fry for another 5 minutes till all the ingredients are mixed thoroughly. Garnish with fresh, thinly chopped coriander leaves and it is ready to be served.

Tips: The eggplant should be carefully selected as an old seedy eggplant will not provide a good flavor or taste. Select the ones which are dark in color and firm to the touch. If you find it difficult to roast a large size eggplant, buy two medium sized ones.

You can add some other ingredients to the dish like cooked green peas, and ginger or garlic for flavor. Mustard seeds also add a unique flavor to the dish and adding sour cream will give it a tangy taste.

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Instead of roasting, you can alternatively bake the eggplant in the microwave. You should use baking oil like olive and rub it on the eggplant before baking and then bake till it is tender. The rest of the recipe remains the same.