Bagara Baigan(Spicy eggplant curry)

Bagara Baigan

Eggplant

Eggplant ,often known as brinjal in the east is a vegetable loved by almost everybody.I made bagara baigan this weekend.A really spicy variation relished by thousands.We find this dish mostly during special occassions.It doesnt take that long a time for getting cooked.

Ingredients:

For stuffing and gravy:

chana dal -1cup

urad dal-1cup

black peppercorns-5 to 6

cloves-5 to 6

whole dried red chilli-8 to 10 ( as per your spice scale)

cumin seeds-4 tsp

coriander seeds-4 tsp
methi seeds-1tsp
cashew nuts

1)Roast all these ingredients till golden brown.Donot burn.

fresh coconut grated-1/4 cup
tamarind juice-2 to 4 tbsp
powdered jaggery or sugar-1tbsp
ginger-garlic paste-3 tbsp
salt

1)Make a paste of all the above ingredients along with the roasted dals without adding water.Have a portion of the paste for stuffing the eggplants/brinjals and save the rest for gravy.


Small Eggplant (how can we forget this the vital one)- 5 to 6
mustard seed-1tsp
cumin seeds-1tsp
curry leaves-3 to 4
turmeric powder-1/2 tsp
red chilli powder-1 tbsp
salt

Procedure:

1)Stuff the eggplant/brinjals by making a + cut .
2)In a pan,heat 2 tbsp oil,add mustard seeds,cumin seeds and curry leaves.
3)Now add the stuffed eggplant,cover and cook for 15-20 min on medium heat.
4)Once they get cooked,remove the eggplants and keep aside in a dish carefully.
5)In the pan ,add the remaining paste saved for gravy along with some water.Add turmeric powder,and add salt,red chilli powder,tamarind & sugar as per taste.Cook for 10 to 15 min on low flame till the gravy thickens.
6)Finally,add the eggplant to the gravy carefully and let them cook for 5 to 10 min.
  Serve with rice or rotis.


P.S:I suggest the cuts on the eggplant be made on the rear end,because this helps in making the eggplant stay vertical when cooked without spilling the stuffing.Keep turning the brinjals occassionally as this would prevent them from burning.

Storage:The roasted dals can be stored carefully for 3 weeks apprx.The curry ofcourse stays for 3 days in refrigerator without losing its essence