With its tender texture and slightly bitter flavor, eggplant is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from classic Indian curries to hearty stews and flavorful bakes. When cooked properly, eggplant can be transformed into a delicious and satisfying meal. This article will provide you with a comprehensive guide to cooking eggplant in the Indian style, ensuring that you create a flavorful and authentic dish every time.
Here are our top 17 tried and tested recipes!
INDIAN EGGPLANT - BHURTHA
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
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
INDIAN EGGPLANT (BHARTA)
Serve with cooked rice or even better, warmed naan or other flatbread for scooping. This Indian vegetarian eggplant recipe doubles easily if you're serving a crowd or just love leftovers.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dinner Recipes
Time 50m
Yield 2 cups
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Roast eggplant directly on a gas burner or under a broiler, turning occasionally, until charred all over and very soft, about 12 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes. Scoop out flesh and discard skin. You should have about 2 1/2 cups eggplant.
- Grind onion, ginger and garlic together in a food processor to form a paste. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add butter and melt. Add cumin; when it sizzles, stir in onion paste, and chiles. Cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, about 3 minutes. If onion is sticking to pan, stir in 3 tablespoons water and scrape up browned bits, then stir in tomatoes.
- Cook, stirring frequently, until tomatoes are broken down, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add turmeric and stir to combine, then add eggplant, stirring until heated through.
INDIAN-SPICED EGGPLANT
Categories Herb Vegetable Vegetarian Quick & Easy Low Cal Wheat/Gluten-Free Winter Gourmet
Yield Serves 2
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a small bowl combine spices and in a measuring cup stir together water, sugar, and vinegar. Cut eggplant into 2-inch pieces.
- In a large heavy non-stick skillet heat butter over moderate heat until foam subsides and cook spices, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add eggplant and salt and toss to coat with spice mixture. Stir vinegar mixture and add to eggplant mixture. Simmer mixture, covered, without stirring, 10 minutes, or until eggplant is just tender. Uncover skillet and cook eggplant mixture at a rapid simmer, without stirring, until liquid is almost evaporated and eggplant is slightly charred (but not burned) on bottom, about 15 minutes.
- Remove skillet from heat and let eggplant stand, covered, 5 minutes.
- Serve eggplant sprinkled with fresh coriander.
INSTANT POT INDIAN SPICY EGGPLANT
Inspired by the flavorful eggplant dish bhartha, this easy version skips the lengthy roasting and peeling steps and instead uses an instant pot to pre-cook the eggplant in 20 minutes.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Time 1h
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Poke the eggplant 2 to 3 times on each side with a knife. Put the eggplant on the rack in a 6-quart Instant Pot® and pour 1 cup water into the pot. Follow the manufacturer's guide for locking the lid and preparing to cook. Set to pressure cook on high for 20 minutes (see Cook's Note).
- After the pressure-cook cycle is complete, follow the manufacturer's guide for quick release and wait until the quick-release cycle is complete. Being careful of any remaining steam, unlock and remove the lid. Remove the eggplant and rack. The eggplant should be completely soft and deflated. Set aside.
- Turn the pot to the high saute setting and when hot, add the oil. Stir in the curry powder, cumin and turmeric and cook until the spices are fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the onions to coat in the oil and spices. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are softened and slightly browned, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the ginger and garlic and stir to coat. Cook until the garlic starts to soften, 1 to 2 minutes more. Add the tomatoes and cook until the they break down and lose their structure, 6 to 7 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon salt. Cut the eggplant into chunks. Add the eggplant and peas to the pot and cook until completely warmed through, 2 to 3 minutes. Add additional salt to taste.
- Serve warm with rice if desired and sprinkle with cilantro and mint.
EGGPLANT AND POTATO (INDIAN)
From Madhur Jaffrey's World of the East Vegetarian Cooking. I have tried this with cauliflower instead of the eggplant, which was good, but I usually make it with carrots instead of the eggplant because even from a young age, Chef #784894 didn't like eggplant. Of course the dish is good with eggplant too! I just noticed that it calls for "boiling potatoes". I always use baking potatoes. Are they called "russet potatoes"? I also always double the recipe's spices and use a whole eggplant and cut up potatoes to equal the amount of eggplant.
Provided by mliss29
Categories Potato
Time 25m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Heat oil over medium-high heat in a big skillet.
- When hot, put in the mustard seeds.
- When they start to pop, put in the vegetables. Stir once.
- Add seasonings. Stir and fry for a minute.
- Add 3 tablespoons of water, lower heat, cover, and simmer 10-15 minutes.
- Stir every now and then. If vegetables stick, add a little water.
- Dish is done when the potatoes are tender.
INDIAN CURRY WITH POTATOES, CHICKEN, AND EGGPLANT
This is a delicious and fairly easy curry recipe, it uses many spices and has a lot of flavor. NOTE: the longer you leave it to sit, the better the flavors to develop
Provided by BachFromTheDead
Categories Curries
Time 6h35m
Yield 6 , 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Cut all of the vegetables and the chicken accordingly. Put all ingredients into a large pot (not cast-iron, the acidity of the tomatoes is bad for it).
- Cook over high heat for approximately 10 minutes. Turn heat to low and let slow cook for approximately 7 hours.
- Serve with hot basmati rice or naan/chapatis/roti.
INDIAN SPICED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE)
Make and share this Indian Spiced Eggplant (Aubergine) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Engrossed
Categories Curries
Time 30m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Preheat broiler.
- Trim ends off eggplant and cut into 1/4" thick rounds.
- Spray cookie sheet with cooking oil.
- Place eggplant on cookie sheet and spray with cooking oil.
- Broil eggplant until tender and browned, about 3-5 minutes per side. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine the first 7 spices. In a large frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add spice mixture and cook, stirring constantly, for about 30 seconds.
- Quickly add the onion and saute until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the tomato sauce or halved cherry tomatoes, molasses, garlic and vinegar. Cook the sauce, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Transfer eggplant to serving dish and pour sauce over. Top with chopped cilantro.
SPICED EGGPLANT INDIAN STYLE
This simple recipe combines the traditional Indian flavors of eggplant, tomatoes, onions and coriander. This is excellent served with rice and dahl.
Provided by sal
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Tomatoes
Time 40m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
- Half eggplant(s) and bake for 20 minutes, or until tender. Using a potato masher or pastry blender, crush eggplant.
- Heat clarified butter in a medium skillet over medium heat; saute onions until translucent. Stir in tomatoes and eggplant; cook, stirring, until liquid evaporated. Remove from heat and sprinkle with coriander.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 533.2 calories, Carbohydrate 44.5 g, Cholesterol 87.5 mg, Fat 39.7 g, Fiber 11.2 g, Protein 7.1 g, SaturatedFat 22.2 g, Sodium 838.6 mg, Sugar 11.6 g
INDIAN EGGPLANT AND POTATO CURRY WITH CUCUMBER YOGURT SAUCE
This recipe is a dead ringer for one of my favorite Indian dishes at a local restaurant! A big bonus is that it's virtually fat-free, so indulge away!
Provided by Jacqueline
Time 1h50m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- To make yogurt sauce, peel and seed 2 cucumbers. Finely shred using a food processor, or finely dice by hand. Toss with salt and place in a colander. Allow to drain for at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- Combine drained cucumbers, yogurt, scallions, garlic, black pepper, and cayenne in a bowl. Refrigerate until needed.
- While you prepare the cucumbers and sauce, preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Place potatoes on a baking sheet.
- Roast potatoes in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cut eggplants in half lengthwise and place cut-sides down on a medium baking sheet. Add eggplant tray to the oven.
- Continue to roast eggplants and potatoes until tender and eggplants begin to brown, about 30 minutes more.
- Remove from heat and allow eggplant and potatoes to cool, 10 to 15 minutes. Peel eggplant (skin should pull off rather easily). Potatoes do not need to be peeled, but may be if you prefer. Chop eggplant and potatoes into large bite-sized cubes.
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions and salt and cook until onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Add garam masala, ginger, and garlic and cook until spices are fragrant, about 1 minute. Add diced tomatoes with their liquid, vegetable broth, cubed potatoes, cubed eggplant, and jalapeno peppers. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Add peas and allow to simmer until peas are hot but still bright green, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in yogurt.
- Serve with cucumber yogurt sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 274.7 calories, Carbohydrate 48.5 g, Cholesterol 1.8 mg, Fat 4.9 g, Fiber 14.7 g, Protein 13.2 g, SaturatedFat 0.9 g, Sodium 613.3 mg, Sugar 21 g
STUFFED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) ( INDIAN )
This is stuffed eggplant made in Maharashtrian ( a state in western India) style. I had if first at my in-laws and then got a recipe online which I tweaked to our taste It is a lengthy process, but well worth it. Adjust seasonings according to your taste.
Provided by Sana7149
Categories Asian
Time 1h
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Make a paste of all the ingredients for the stuffing.
- Slit the eggplants from the middle into quarters such that they do not separate.
- Stuff them with the paste.
- Finely chop the onion and fry it in the oil.
- Add the remaining stuffing ( if any ) to the oil.
- Add the stuffed eggplants and add water to just to cover the top of the brinjals.
- Cover and cook for about 15 mins or till the brinjals are soft.
- Cooking time will vary depending on the size of the eggplants.
INDIAN STUFFED EGGPLANT
A little tricky and time consuming, this dish is a sure show stopper! Similar to potato boats, only spicy instead of cheesy. This dish is totally vegetarian and can be vegan just be substituting veggie oil for the ghee. If you want it mild, don't add the curry or vindaloo spices. If you want some kick to it, add your favorite curry or vindaloo blend. Fantastic with chicken tikka masala and tabouleh!
Provided by Shana McCoy
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Eggplant
Time 35m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Scoop the inside out of the eggplant halves, leaving 1/4 inch of flesh attached to the skin. Roughly chop the removed eggplant, and set the shells aside.
- Heat the ghee in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir the onion and garlic until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the coriander, vindaloo powder, chili powder, and salt; continue cooking 2 to 3 minutes until the spices are very fragrant. Stir in the chopped eggplant flesh, and cook until very soft, mashing as you go. Pour in a little water if needed to keep the eggplant from burning. Keep the mashed eggplant hot over low heat.
- Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Deep fry the eggplant halves in the hot oil until crisp, about 5 minutes. Drain upside-down on a paper towel-lined plate. Once drained, spoon in the reserved filling, and serve hot.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 263.8 calories, Carbohydrate 12.4 g, Cholesterol 32.8 mg, Fat 24.3 g, Fiber 6.6 g, Protein 2.2 g, SaturatedFat 9.4 g, Sodium 298.9 mg, Sugar 4.8 g
INDIAN-SPICED EGGPLANT & CAULIFLOWER STEW
Eggplant and cauliflower are two of my favorites - so I had to post it. EatingWell Newsletter, 10/31/07. Exchanges: 1 starch, 2 vegetable, 1 very lean meat, 1 fat.
Provided by Manami
Categories Cauliflower
Time 45m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat a Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add curry powder, garam masala and mustard seeds and toast, stirring, until the spices begin to darken, about 1 minute.
- Transfer to a small bowl.
- Add oil, onion, garlic, ginger and salt to the pot and cook, stirring, until softened, 3 to 4 minutes.
- Stir in eggplant, cauliflower, tomatoes, chickpeas, water and the spices.
- Bring to a simmer.
- Cover, reduce heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
- Top each serving with optional dollop of yogurt; serve with basmatti rice & a loaf of 7 grain bread.
- **Garam masala is a flavorful, fragrant blend of dry-roasted ground spices. It's in the spice section of most supermarkets and specialty stores.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 196.3, Fat 6.3, SaturatedFat 0.5, Sodium 675.4, Carbohydrate 31.8, Fiber 9.1, Sugar 6.8, Protein 6.5
INDIAN EGGPLANT AND ONION DIP WITH PITA CHIPS
Mint, cilantro, and garam masala give this creamy, roasted eggplant dip an Indian edge.
Provided by Bon Appétit Test Kitchen
Categories Condiment/Spread Food Processor Onion Appetizer Vegetarian Quick & Easy Low Cal Eggplant Shower Healthy Low Cholesterol Vegan Party Bon Appétit Sugar Conscious Kidney Friendly Pescatarian Dairy Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher
Yield Makes about 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 475°F. Arrange pita wedges in single layer on rimmed baking sheet; brush pita lightly with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
- Place eggplant, skin side down, on half of another rimmed baking sheet. Place onions and garlic on other half of sheet. Brush eggplant with 2 tablespoons oil; drizzle onions and garlic with 1 tablespoon oil. Toss vegetables; spread in thin layer.
- Bake pita until crisp, about 4 minutes. Roast vegetables until browned and tender, about 30 minutes. Peel garlic. Scoop out pulp from eggplant and transfer to processor. Add onions and peeled garlic; puree until almost smooth. Transfer puree to bowl; mix in mint, cilantro, and garam masala. Season with salt and pepper; serve with pita chips.
INDIAN-SPICED EGGPLANT STACKS
Warm naan and some cucumbers make a nice accompaniment to this dish.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Appetizers
Time 1h30m
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees with racks in top and center. Sprinkle eggplants generously with salt; arrange in a single layer on a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet. Let stand 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a skillet over medium-high, toast cumin seeds until dark brown and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Finely grind in a spice grinder, or crush with a mortar and pestle. Stir together with 2 teaspoons oil, garlic, ginger, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Rinse eggplants; pat dry with paper towels. Brush baking sheet generously with oil. Brush eggplants on both sides with remaining oil; season lightly with salt. Arrange in a single layeron sheet and roast on center rack, flipping once, until tender and golden brown, 40 to 45 minutes. Spread about 1/2 teaspoon garlic-ginger mixture over each slice; roast 5 minutes more. Remove; adjust oven to broil.
- Divide yogurt among eggplant slices, spreading over tops. Top each with a tomato slice; season with salt. Broil on top rack until just beginning to brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Stack slices three-high, layering cilantro between each. Serve, garnished with more cilantro.
INDIAN EGGPLANT CURRY
Make and share this Indian Eggplant Curry recipe from Food.com.
Provided by CityDoors
Categories Vegetable
Time 30m
Yield 3-4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Chop the eggplants into 1-inch cubes with the skins on. Boil eggplant pieces in large stockpot for about 5-7 minutes, or until soft. Drain well, set aside.
- Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat. Mix in cumin seeds and mustard seeds. Let them roast for about 1 minute or until they start to sizzle and pop.
- Stir in onion and fry for 2 minutes or until onion is tender. Add turmeric powder and fry for another 30 seconds.
- Add ginger-garlic paste, frying for about 1 minute. Stir in cayenne pepper, curry powder, and diced tomato. Cover and let simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes, or until the tomato is almost a paste (if you must, add 1-2 tablespoons of water to keep the mixture moist).
- Add salt, green chiles, and plain yogurt. Cook for 30 seconds, then add the eggplants. Cover and cook for 7-10 minutes. Mix in chopped cilantro and serve over rice.
WARM INDIAN EGGPLANT DIP (BAIGAN KA BHARTA)
This a REALLY yummy Indian dip! When I have friends over I ofter serve dips from around the globe. This one is always a hit. I serve it with toasted pita or naan bread.
Provided by ms.susan
Categories Spreads
Time 30m
Yield 2 cups, 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Roast the eggplant in a 400°F oven for 45 minutes or until soft.
- While the eggplant is roasting, saute the mustard seeds, bay leaves, chilies, ginger and onions in 1 tbsp of olive oil, for a 15 minutes. Add tomatoes, turmeric, garam masala and chili powder.
- Saute for 5 more minutes.
- Cool and scoop the eggplant from the peel.
- Mash or blend until smooth.
- Add the eggplant and remaining ingredients and stir well to combine. Allow to cook for at least 10 more minutes.
- Serve warm with toasted pita or naan.
SOUTH INDIAN EGGPLANT CURRY
Eggplant is good steamed or fried, but try making it in the microwave. The timing is forgiving in this recipe from reader Roopa Kalyanaraman, and the texture of the eggplant is mind-blowingly good, soft and not at all oily or soggy. Like steaming, but better.
Provided by Mark Bittman
Categories dinner, lunch, quick, main course
Time 15m
Yield 4 or more servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a bowl, mix oil, chickpea flour, turmeric and asafetida. Heat on high for 90 seconds, stopping to stir halfway through. In another bowl, heat coconut on high for 90 seconds, stirring halfway through. Add coconut, ginger, salt and tamarind to chickpea mixture.
- Rinse and dry eggplant, trim off ends, and cut into 1-inch slices. Score one side of each slice in several places. Spread and press spice mixture into gashes, then put eggplant into a dish. Partly cover (waxed paper works) and heat on high for 6 minutes. Uncover and cook on high for 2 or 3 minutes, until very soft. Garnish with cilantro. Serve hot or warm.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 133, UnsaturatedFat 7 grams, Carbohydrate 11 grams, Fat 10 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 2 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 355 milligrams, Sugar 6 grams, TransFat 0 grams
Tips:
- When choosing eggplants for Indian cooking, look for firm, deep purple ones that feel heavy for their size. Avoid eggplants that have blemishes or wrinkles.
- To reduce the bitterness of eggplants, soak them in salted water for 30 minutes before cooking.
- If a recipe calls for frying eggplant, use a generous amount of oil and cook the eggplant over medium heat until it is golden brown and tender.
- To make a crispy eggplant dish, coat the eggplant in cornstarch or bread crumbs before frying.
- Eggplant can also be roasted, grilled, or steamed. These cooking methods are healthier than frying and can still produce delicious results.
- When using eggplant in curries and other dishes, add it towards the end of the cooking time so that it does not overcook and become mushy.
- Eggplant pairs well with a variety of spices, including cumin, coriander, turmeric, ginger, and garlic.
- For a unique twist, try grilling or roasting eggplant and then using it in salads, sandwiches, or wraps.
Conclusion:
Eggplant is a versatile vegetable that can be used in a variety of Indian dishes. It is a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and it can be cooked in a variety of ways. With its unique flavor and texture, eggplant can add a delicious and healthy touch to any meal. So, next time you are looking for a new and exciting way to cook eggplant, try one of the recipes in this article. You won't be disappointed!
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