Traditional Baingan Bharta Recipe
Baingan Bharta - What Goes Into This Delicious Eggplant Curry?
Eggplant mash, also known as Baingan Bharta in Hindi, is a tantalizing dish hailing from India and beloved throughout South Asia. This flavorful creation involves roasting eggplant to perfection and then blending it with aromatic spices, onions, tomatoes, and sometimes peas. Despite its apparent simplicity, Baingan Bharta offers a depth of flavour that is truly extraordinary.
This dish pairs wonderfully with rice, roti, or naan, making it a versatile addition to any meal. The smoky essence of Baingan Bharta is derived from grilling the eggplant directly over an open flame, imparting an extra layer of richness to the dish.
If you're a fan of eggplants, Baingan Bharta is an absolute must-try. Not only is it vegan and gluten-free, but it's also a breeze to prepare and packs a nutritious punch. You don't need to be a seasoned chef to whip up this delectable dish—our simple recipe has got you covered! So, roll up your sleeves and get ready to embark on a culinary adventure that's sure to delight your taste buds.
How to Make Baingan Bharta at Home?
There are different variations of this flavourful eggplant mash recipe! All these versions are as rich and flavourful as the authentic Baingan Bharta recipe. So, let’s dig in and check the ingredients required to make this dish.
Ingredients for Bharta Recipe
The ingredients required to make eggplant mash are easily available in the kitchen. You can cook this recipe for four to five people using the below-mentioned measurements and adjust it per your liking and taste:
• 1 large eggplant or two to three small eggplants
• 2 tablespoons of cooking oil
• 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
• A pinch of asafoetida
• 3 cloves garlic minced or grated
• 1-inch ginger grated or paste
• 1 medium-sized onion, finely chopped
• 1 green chilli finely chopped (optional)
• 2 medium-size tomatoes, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons of coriander powder
• ½ a teaspoon of Kashmiri red chilli powder or one-fourth teaspoon of cayenne
• ¾ teaspoon salt to taste
• ½ a teaspoon of turmeric
• 2 to 3 tablespoons of cilantro leaves or coriander for garnishing
Baingan Bharta Recipe
So, how to make a Brinjal bharta recipe? Follow the below steps to roast or grill brinjals:-
Roasting the Brinjal
Step 1: Rinse the brinjals properly and pat dry. Brush oil over it and make some slits. In each of those slits, put a piece of garlic. Turn on the gas stove, put the brinjals directly on the flame, and roast them, frequently turning over for approximately ten to twelve minutes till they are completely roasted.
Step 2: When the brinjals are roasted, remove them from the flame with tongs and let them cool down.
Step 3: When it comes to room temperature, peel the skin. Now, finely chop the roasted garlic.
Step 4: Transfer the roasted brinjal to a bowl and mash it with the help of a fork or potato masher. After mashing, keep it aside.
Making the Bharta
Step 5: How to cook bharta? Turn on your gas on a medium flame, put a pan over it, and heat the oil. Add garlic, ginger, asafoetida, and green chillies when the oil gets hot. Saute them for approximately two minutes until they begin changing colour.
Step 6: Add finely chopped onion and cook for two to three minutes until they soften and turn golden brown.
Step 7: Throw diced tomatoes in the pan and mix them properly. Cook the tomatoes for approximately five minutes until soft, and you spot oil released from this mixture.
Step 8: Add the mashed roasted brinjals into the mixture and saute properly.
Step 9: Now it's time for the spices! Add salt, pepper, chopped green chillies, coriander powder, and other required spices. Saute them well. Cook the bharta for another five minutes on medium to low flame and keep stirring.
Step 10: Turn off the gas, remove the pan from the flame, and put the bharta on a serving bowl or plate. Garnish this flavourful and lip-smacking delicacy with chopped coriander leaves, and serve hot with rotis!
Try Variations
How to make bharta in different variations? You can add the following to cook the eggplant mash in different variations:-
Add Vegetables
To make this delectable dish more wholesome and complete, add more veggies to your bharta recipe, such as yellow bell peppers, peas, red bell peppers, potatoes, etc.
Add Sources of Protein
In addition to experimenting with different veggies of your choice, you can add protein sources, such as half a cup of grated paneer, soya chunks, tofu, or soya granules.
Make it Spicier
Add green chillies or red chilli powder to make your dish spicier if you love spicy food.
Conclusion
Eggplant mash is a savoury food item that shows Baingan's versatility and taste. It is among the staple Indian dishes and has multiple regional versions. It is also nutritious, wholesome, and satisfying, which everybody can enjoy. Whether you are searching for an innovative way to cook eggplants or wish to try out a different kind of curry, eggplant mash is an ideal choice. You can easily make this dish with simple ingredients and personalise it per your likes and preferences. Once you try this dish, you will be fond of Baingan Bharta and wish to have this dish again.
FAQs
1. What can you serve with Baingan Bharta?
Baingan Bharta can be served as a side dish or a main course with rice, chapati, paratha, kulcha, or naan. It can also be served with pulao or biryani. A few people enjoy this delicious dish with toasted bread or crackers. It is a wholesome and nutritious meal that can be paired with a raita, salad, or pickle.
2. What type of Baingan should you use to make eggplant mash?
Any type of baingan can be used to make eggplant curry, but the best eggplants are the big purple ones. Small Indian eggplants can also be used, but they may take different cooking times.
3. How to reheat Baingan Bharta?
Eggplant mash can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for approximately three days. You can microwave it for a few minutes or heat it on a gas stove with oil or water. For garnishing, add some coriander leaves and lemon juice to enhance its flavour.
