Baingan Masala: Dhaba Style Delicacy That Lingers

By Niveditha Kalyanaraman

September 17th, 2023

Image Credit: Unsplash

Baingan masala, aka Brinjal masala, is a popular eggplant recipe from the Northern regions of India. Usually, dark purple brinjals are used. But for baingan masala, people use greenish-purple ones. This particular variety is also known as the desi baingan in native languages. Here's the recipe for baingan masala.

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Ingredients

Brinjal - 500 gm Cooking Oil - 6 tbsp Cooking Oil - 4 tbsp Cumin Seeds - 1 tbsp Ginger-Garlic Paste - 1 tbsp Peanut Powder - 20 gm Onion - 1 small pcs (Chopped) Red Chili Powder - 1 tbsp Turmeric Powder - 1 tsp Garam Masala Powder - 1 tsp Coriander Powder - 1 tbsp Salt - 1 tbsp Tomato Puree - 2 large pcs Coriander - 1 bowl small size (Chopped) Curd - 2 tbsp Water - 3/4 glass

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Step 1

Make two vertical cuts to the brinjal. The vertical cut will help to stuff masala in the brinjal. Heat oil in a pan and add all the brinjals to it. Saute for 5 mins and keep stirring. Add a pinch of salt.Once all the brinjals are sauteed, remove them from the pan and keep them aside.

Spinach

Add oil to the pan and add cumin seeds, ginger-garlic paste, and peanut powder. Saute peanut powder along with cumin in hot oil. Add chopped onion, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, garam masala powder, coriander powder, and salt. Mix all the masalas well—Cook for 5 mins.

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Step 3

Add tomato puree and mix well. Next, add freshly chopped coriander, mix well, and cook for a minute. Add curd and mix well. Now place sauteed brinjals in the pan. Mix brinjal and masala well.

Step 4

Add water and mix one final time. Cover the pan and cook for 10 mins. Remove the cover, and you will see the brinjals are soft.

Serving

Serve baingan masala hot for lunch or dinner.