Begun bhaja – fried eggplant/aubergine/brinjal

Name: Begun bhaja – fried eggplant/aubergine/brinjal
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: En
Ingredients: 1 big firm, shiny eggplant – the purple variety for bharta; 2 tbsp. mustard oil (see notes); 1 tsp. turmeric powder; 1 tsp. garam masala (optional); salt to taste; 1.5 tsp. coriander powder (optional); 1 tsp. amchoor/ dry mango powder (optional); 1 tsp. red chili powder

Main Dish

Very Easy

15 min

a simple, yet awesome side dish to savour in your lazy days. the eggplant slices are marinated for 15-20 mins and then shallow fried.

Ingredients

1 big firm, shiny eggplant – the purple variety for bharta
2 tbsp. mustard oil (see notes)
1 tsp. turmeric powder
1 tsp. garam masala (optional)
salt to taste
1.5 tsp. coriander powder (optional)
1 tsp. amchoor/ dry mango powder (optional)
1 tsp. red chili powder

Preparation

Preparation5 min

Cook time10 min

Wash and pat dry the baingan.
Slice it in 1/2 inch thin roundels( 1 large eggplant gives 10-12 slices)
Meanwhile, add 1 tbsp. oil in a bowl, mix all the spices.
Coat this spice mix onto the slices, from both the sides.
Keep them covered for marinating for 15-20 mins. (optional step though I recommend)
Now heat the remaining 1 tbsp. oil in a flat pan, preferably nonstick.
once the oil is hot, arrange the slices in 1 layer, should not be overlapping with each other.
Cook covered for 5-6 mins in a low-medium flame or until the lower side is brown.
Flip all the slices up side down and fry the same way
Do the remaining slices in the same fashion. If required, add a few drops of more oil
Relish with plain RICE and Daal or as finger food/starters with some chaat masala sprinkled over them!!