Simple and Tasty Bharali Wangi/ Bharawan Baigan

Yield: 3 Servings
Preparation Time: 15 mins
Cooking Time: 20 mins








Ingredients:

• 7-8 small eggplants\ brinjals
• 1 onion sliced (cut lengthwise)
• 3-4 black pepper
• 3-4 cloves
• 1 tsp coriander seeds and cumin seeds
• 1 small cinnamon stick
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tbsp coriander leaves
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 2 1/2 tsp red chili powder
• 4-5 garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup roasted peanuts
• 1 tbsp dried coconut (optional)
• 2 tsp sesame seeds (optional)
• 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• pinch of asafoetida
• salt to taste

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Method:

1. Roast onion in pan till they turn out golden brown. Add little oil while roasting. Onion can be roasted more if you like. Remove it in a plate and roast coconut in same pan with little oil.
2. Same way roast all ingredients (cinnamon stick, garlic, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, black pepper, cloves, sesame seeds) one by one in same pan.
3. Grind all above roasted ingredients, peanuts, red chili powder, turmeric powder, coriander leaves, salt together till smooth paste. Stuffing is ready.
4. Now give 2 vertical slits to each eggplants. Do not cut through whole eggplant. cut the stem little bit if it is long. Stuff each eggplant with above mixture as shown in picture. Keep 3-4 tbsp mixture aside for gravy.
5. Now start with cooking. Heat oil in pan. Add mustard seeds and wait till they crackle.
6. Add cumin seeds, asafoetida, bay leaf and sauté it little bit.
7. Add stuffed eggplants along with remaining stuffing. Sauté this till eggplants change their color.
8. Add water (around 1 cup). Water quantity can be varied depending on the consistency you like.
9. Cover the pan with lid for 10-15 mins till eggplant cooks. Check if eggplant is cooked or not by inserting knife to one of the eggplants. If it is cooked, knife gets inside immediately.
10. Serve hot with Roti\ Chapati\ Fulka.

Tips:

• Eggplants can be cooked in a pressure cooker. Follow same instruction for cooking in pressure cooker and allow it to cook for single whistle. This saves time and energy.
• If you are not adding coconut and sesame seeds, increase amount of peanuts to 1/3 cup.