Indian eggplant bhurtha is a delightful dish that showcases the smoky flavors of roasted eggplant combined with a medley of aromatic spices. Originating from the vibrant culinary traditions of India, this dish is a vegan delight that can be enjoyed as a main course or as a delectable side dish. The key to creating an exceptional bhurtha lies in selecting the freshest eggplants, roasting them to perfection, and infusing them with a harmonious blend of spices that tantalize the taste buds. Whether you prefer a mild or a spicy version, this versatile dish allows for customization, making it a favorite among both vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.
Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!
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.
BAINGAN BHARTA- INDIAN STYLE FIRE ROASTED EGGPLANTS
Baingan Bharta is a favorite North Indian curry made by first roasting the eggplants until very soft. The flesh is scraped from the skin and cooked with tomatoes, onions, garlic, fresh and dried coriander, turmeric, and other spices until thickened and richly flavored.
Provided by udita
Categories Vegetable
Time 40m
Yield 4 cups, 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Prick eggplants and roast them over open flame or in a tandoor/preheated oven until the skin scorches and starts peeling off.
- The sure shot way to check if the eggplants are done is to pierce them with the back of a spoon, if it enters the brinjal like soft butter then they are done.
- When at room temperature remove the skin and mash the pulp.
- Chop the onions, tomatoes and green chilli.
- Heat oil(preferably mustard oil) in a kadahi(wok) and add chopped onions. Sauté until they are pink. Do not brown them.Then add chopped ginger, garlic, chopped green chilli and stir.
- After about 1/2 a minute add the tomatoes and the salt(adding salt with the tomatoes softens the tomatoes faster and thus makes cooking easier)When the tomatoes are done(oil seperates from them)add all the powders except for the garam masala powder and cook for another 1/2 a minute.
- Now add the mashed brinjals. After this point not much cooking is required. Cook for about 1/2 to 1 minute and finally add the garam masala and chopped corriander leaves.
- Serve immediately with roti, paraatha, naan, pitta bread, or even on a toast! We love it on a crunchy toast - irresistable, I tell you!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 151.8, Fat 7.5, SaturatedFat 1.2, Sodium 599.4, Carbohydrate 21.2, Fiber 7, Sugar 9.2, Protein 3.4
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.
BAINGAN BHARTA
This satisfying vegetarian dish is adapted from a recipe belonging to Julie Sahni, the popular Indian chef, cookbook author and teacher. Its preparation is very similar to baba ghanoush in that you roast and mash the eggplant before seasoning it with aromatics, herbs and spices, but its flavor profile is wildly different. Here, turmeric, garam masala and jalapeño add warmth, while the addition of lime juice provides brightness. Serve it as a dip with flatbread (like pita or store-bought roti), or as a main dish with rice and raita.
Provided by Mark Bittman
Categories dinner, easy, main course
Time 45m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Prick the eggplant with a thin-blade knife. Grill over or next to very high heat, turning as necessary until the skin is blackened and the eggplant collapses. Or broil, or roast on a heated cast-iron pan in the hottest possible oven. It will take about 20 minutes.
- When the eggplant is cool enough to handle, peel (this will be easy) and trim away the hard stem. Chop or mash in a bowl, with lime juice.
- Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat; add the onion. Cook, stirring often, until the onion is golden brown, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and chiles and cook for another minute. Add the tomato, turmeric and salt. Cook until the tomato is soft, 5 minutes or so.
- Stir in the eggplant purée and cook, stirring, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the cilantro and garam masala and turn off the heat. Serve hot with warm chapati bread or pita, or over rice.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 176, UnsaturatedFat 8 grams, Carbohydrate 23 grams, Fat 10 grams, Fiber 9 grams, Protein 4 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 484 milligrams, Sugar 12 grams, TransFat 0 grams
Tips:
- Choose ripe and firm eggplants for the best flavor and texture.
- Roasting the eggplants over an open flame or in a hot oven intensifies their smoky flavor.
- Be sure to remove the charred skin from the eggplants before mashing them.
- Use a combination of spices for a flavorful bhurtha. Common spices include cumin, coriander, turmeric, chili powder, and garam masala.
- Add chopped cilantro, mint, or green chilies for a fresh and vibrant flavor.
- Serve bhurtha with warm roti, paratha, or rice.
Conclusion:
Indian eggplant bhurtha is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, side dish, or main course. It is a great way to use up leftover eggplant and is a healthy and flavorful addition to any meal. With its smoky flavor, tender texture, and aromatic spices, bhurtha is sure to be a hit with family and friends.
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