Baby eggplants are simmered in a spicy peanut sauce until soft and delicious. Great to serve with veg biryani or even naan.
About the Recipe
Hyderabadi cuisine is very famous for its biryanis and other rich and delicious Mughal & Nizam influenced dishes. Hyderabadi dum biryani is a delicacy that has to be enjoyed to describe its taste. But being an eggplant lover, my favorite dish is this bagara baingan curry. This is a 100% vegan dish that is nutty and absolutely delicious. Bhagare baingan was a standard item on all of the wedding menus and other special occasions when I was growing up. That is not the case these days, but you can easily make the dish at home with my recipe. Baby eggplants are simmered in a creamy, spicy peanut-sesame sauce until nice and tender. This is a dish that has lots of flavors - it’s spicy, tangy, slightly sweet. So achieving that balance is the key. I would suggest tasting the curry as you go, to get make the right balance.
Ingredients
For the detailed instructions on how to make the recipe with exact timings, check the printable recipe card below. Here are the ingredients you need to make the bagara baingan masala:
Baby Eggplant - Purple variety and choose smallish ones that are blemish-free. For the Sauce/ Gravy: Nuts & Seeds - Peanuts, sesame & poppy seeds, dry grated coconutSpices - Whole Coriander seedsDry red chiliesOnion, ginger and garlicTamarind - for some tanginessTurmeric and salt
Instructions
For the detailed instructions on how to make the recipe with exact timings, check the printable recipe card below. Here is how to make Hyderabadi bagara baingan recipe:
Make the Masala
Heat a large skillet on medium heat. Dry roast the peanuts until lightly browned on all sides. Transfer them to a medium-size bowl. In the same pan, dry roast coriander, sesame, poppy seeds, dry red chilies and dry coconut until browned and aromatic, about 1~2 minutes. Add the seeds to the peanuts. Let the mixture cool, grind to a smooth paste adding little water. Heat oil in the skillet on medium heat. Add onions, ginger and garlic. Cook until they turn lightly browned all over. Let them cool slightly, then grind into a smooth paste.
Prep Eggplant
Keep the crown intact and make a slit ¾th of the way through the eggplant by making a ‘+’ on the bottom.In the same pan used to make the masala, heat 1~2 teaspoons more oil. Add the eggplants and cover and cook until their skins blister and they are fork-tender, about 8~10 minutes. Remove onto a plate and set aside.
Make Bagara Baigan
Heat oil in the same skillet on medium heat. Add mustard, fenugreek seeds and curry leaves. Once the seeds splutter, add the browned onions and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the peanut-coconut paste along with ½ cup of water. Reduce the flame to medium-low and cook. Stir in the cooked eggplant, cover the pan and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the eggplants have absorbed the flavors from the gravy. Turn off the heat and the curry is ready!! Bagare Baingan pairs well with biryani. It can also be served with simple roti or naan.
Expert Tips
You can use either Indian or Thai purple baby eggplants. Choose small, evenly sized ones.Though not traditional, medium size Italian or Japanese eggplants can also be used. Slice these into long thin pieces and use.Prep the eggplants just before making the curry. If not, they will oxidize and turn dark.Blanched peanuts without skins are best for this recipe, because they are very convenient. But feel free to use regular peanuts.You can make the gravy up to 2 days in advance. Store in an airtight container in the fridge. When ready to cook, add it to the dish as written in the recipe.Note that the gravy thickens as it sits, so add water and heat it through before serving.Store leftover baghare baingan in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
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Here are a few more Hyderabadi recipes that you might like: I love hearing from you!! If you’ve tried this and liked it, then don’t forget to let me know. Give a star rating and let me know in the comments below. Also tag me in your creations on Instagram @cooks_hideout. I love sharing photos when people make my recipes. You can use the hashtag #cookshideout too.
Recipe Card
