Best Eggplant Punjabi Style Recipes

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BAINGAN BHARTA



Baingan Bharta image

Baingan bharta is a popular Punjabi dish from the North Indian cuisine. It is made with a mash of fire-roasted eggplant, onions, tomatoes, herbs and spices. I share a simply delicious family heirloom recipe which you will love.

Provided by Dassana Amit

Categories     Side Dish

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 eggplant (- large purple variety known as bhartha baingan in India (aubergine or brinjal))
½ cup finely chopped onions ( or 1 medium sized onion)
1 cup finely chopped tomatoes (or 2 medium sized tomatoes)
1 heaped teaspoon finely chopped garlic (or 5 to 6 medium-sized garlic cloves)
½ teaspoon chopped green chiles (or serrano peppers or 1 green chilli)
¼ teaspoon red chili powder (or cayenne or add as required)
2 tablespoons oil (- can use mustard oil or peanut oil or sunflower oil)
1 tablespoon chopped coriander leaves ((cilantro))
salt (as required)

Steps:

  • Rinse the eggplant in water and then pat dry with a kitchen napkin. Cut the eggplant from its base up-to an inch away from the stem without breaking it apart.
  • Cut on four sides or directions as shown in the step-by-step guide above. The eggplant has to be whole when you place it on the stove-top.
  • Pull apart the cut sides gently and check for worms or any black spots. Discard the eggplant if you see any worms in it.
  • If the eggplant looks clean and without worms, then proceed further. Optionally you can spread a light layer of oil all over it.
  • Keep it for roasting on direct flame on the stove-top. Keep the flame to medium-low or medium.
  • Note that as the eggplant cooks some of the juices and drippings will fall which you can wipe later. I don't recommend placing or covering the sides of the stove-top burner with aluminum foil as they can burn and be dangerous.
  • You can also grill the eggplant in the oven. But then do note that you won't get the smoky flavor in the eggplant.
  • Secure the eggplant between tongs and keep on turning it after 2 to 3 minutes on the flame, so that it is evenly cooked.
  • Roast the eggplant till its completely cooked and tender. With a fork or knife check the doneness. The knife should slide easily in aubergine without any resistance. Remove the eggplant and immerse in a bowl of water till it cools.
  • You can also do the dhungar technique of infusing charcoal smoky flavor in the eggplant. This is an optional step. Use natural charcoal for this method. Carefully heat a small piece of charcoal on flame with the help of tongs or by placing it in a wired metal fire-proof rack above the flame, till it becomes smoking hot and red.
  • Make small cuts on the roasted eggplant with a knife. Place the red hot charcoal in the same plate where the roasted aubergine is kept. Add a few drops of oil on the charcoal. The charcoal would begin to smoke.
  • As soon as smoke begins to release from the charcoal, cover the entire plate tightly with a large bowl. Allow the charcoal smoke to get infused for 1 to 1.5 minutes.
  • Alternatively, you can also do this dhungar method once the baingan bharta is cooked, just like the way we do for dal tadka.
  • Whether you have charcoal smoked the eggplant or not, peel the charred skin when it cools. Chop finely or you can even mash it.
  • In a kadai or frying pan or skillet, heat oil. Then add finely chopped onions and garlic.
  • Stirring often, sauté the onions till they soften and translucent. Don't brown them.
  • Add chopped green chillies and chopped tomatoes. Mix well.
  • Sauté the tomatoes stirring often, till the oil starts separating from the mixture. The tomatoes should become pulpy, soft and oil should release from the masala mixture.
  • Now add the red chili powder. Stir and mix again.
  • Add the chopped or mashed eggplant. Mix thoroughly.
  • Season with salt. Stirring often saute for some 4 to 5 minutes on low to medium-low heat.
  • Finally stir in the coriander leaves or garnish bharta with them. Serve baingan bharta with phulka, roti or chapati. It goes well even with bread, toasted or grilled bread and plain rice or jeera rice.
  • You can also pair it with any North Indian meal or mains.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 228 kcal, Carbohydrate 24 g, Protein 4 g, Fat 15 g, Sodium 672 mg, Fiber 9 g, Sugar 13 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, UnsaturatedFat 11 g, ServingSize 1 serving

BAINGAN BHARTA (EGGPLANT BHARTA)



Baingan Bharta (Eggplant Bharta) image

Indian baingan bharta made with grilled eggplants, spices, onions, tomatoes and coriander leaves. This super flavorful dish is easy and is great to serve as a side dish. It goes well with roti, rice or even with bread.

Provided by Swasthi

Categories     Side

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 13

500 grams eggplants ((baingan))
4 medium garlic cloves
1 to 2 green chilies ((slit, adjust to taste))
1 teaspoon oil ((mustard oil or any other))
1½ tablespoons oil ((mustard oil or any other))
1 medium onion ((½ cup chopped, 130 grams))
1 large tomato ((¾ cup deseeded & chopped, 200 grams))
3 large garlic cloves ((fine chopped))
½ to ¾ inch ginger ((fine chopped))
½ teaspoon red chilli powder ((adjust to taste))
½ teaspoon garam masala ((read notes))
¾ teaspoon salt ((adjust to taste))
2 tablespoon coriander leaves ((fine chopped))

Steps:

  • Rinse eggplants well under running water and wipe dry with a kitchen tissue. Make 4 slits on the brinjal and push 4 garlic cloves deep inside 2 slits. Also push 2 slit green chilies in the other 2 slits. Brush them with oil.
  • On Direct Fire: With the help of a tong, place it on direct fire. You can do it either on the red hot coal or stovetop. Keep turning it to all the other sides and grill until it is done completely roasted. It takes about 12 to 14 mins.
  • To grill in oven: Line a metal tray with foil. Cut each eggplant to 2 parts and place them on the tray with the skin side on top. You can also place the tomatoes in the same tray. Broil/Grill them at 460 F or 240 C for 16 to 18 mins.
  • In air fryer: Place baingan, chilies, garlic and tomatoes in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 400 F or 200 C. It takes roughly about 22 mins for the whole eggplant, 16 mins if you halve the eggplant & air fry.
  • Once done, check by inserting a fork into the eggplant. It should go in smoothly & easily meaning it is soft and cooked well. (Check step-by-step photos above)
  • Cool the eggplant and peel the skin. Optionally - Transfer the eggplant to a bowl and cover it for 5 mins. Once done remove the skin.
  • Mash or chop the eggplant, grilled garlic and green chilies. Keep these aside. Chop the tomatoes, onions and raw garlic as well.
  • Pour oil to a hot pan. When the oil turns hot, add chopped ginger and garlic.
  • Saute for 30 to 60 seconds until aromatic.
  • Then add chopped onions and saute until they turn light golden.
  • Add tomatoes and salt. Cook until they become soft. Then add red chili powder and cook for a few minutes until the raw smell from the tomatoes goes away.
  • Then mashed eggplants, garlic and green chilies. (You may want to save half of the green chilies for later after taste testing)
  • Mix everything and mash it a bit to blend well. Then add garam masala and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on a medium heat.
  • Taste test and add more salt and green chilli. Garnish with coriander leaves.
  • Serve baingan bharta with roti, rice or naan.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 243 kcal, Carbohydrate 30 g, Protein 5 g, Fat 14 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 973 mg, Fiber 11 g, Sugar 15 g, ServingSize 1 serving

INDIAN EGGPLANT - BHURTHA



Indian Eggplant - Bhurtha image

This is a traditional North Indian (Punjabi) Bhurtha made with eggplant and tomato, and seasoned with cumin, turmeric garlic and ginger. Serve with fresh roti or naan.

Provided by Simmi G

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Asian     Indian

Time 1h5m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 eggplant
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
½ teaspoon cumin seeds
1 medium onion, sliced
1 teaspoon chopped fresh ginger
1 large tomato - peeled, seeded and diced
1 clove garlic, minced
½ teaspoon ground turmeric
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon ground coriander
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
ground black pepper to taste
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven's broiler. Rub oil on the outside of the egg plant, or coat with cooking spray. Place under the broiler, and cook until the flesh is soft and the skin is blistering off, about 30 minutes. Turn as needed for even cooking. Cut the eggplant in half lengthwise, and scoop the flesh out of the skin. Discard the skin; chop up the flesh, and set aside.
  • Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the cumin seeds, and let them crackle for a few seconds and turn golden brown. Be careful not to burn them. Add the onion, ginger and garlic; cook and stir until tender. I don't let the onions get very brown. Stir in the tomato, and season with turmeric, ground cumin, ground coriander, cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper. Cook and stir for a few minutes.
  • Place the eggplant pieces in the skillet, and cook for 10 to 15 minutes so some of the moisture evaporates. Taste, and adjust seasonings if desired. Garnish with fresh cilantro, and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 119.5 calories, Carbohydrate 13.4 g, Fat 7.4 g, Fiber 6.1 g, Protein 2.4 g, SaturatedFat 1.2 g, Sodium 299.5 mg, Sugar 5.6 g

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