Begun Bhaja

Begun Bhaja

Begun Bhaja

Veg Vegan

Round brinjal slices rubbed with turmeric and salt, pan-fried or deep-fried in mustard oil until golden and caramelised — the essential daily Bengali vegetable side.

Cuisines

Bengali

Best for

Lunch Dinner

Recipe

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Total: 25 min 2-3 servings

Ingredients

Eggplant 1 large Eggplant , small
turmeric powder 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder
red chili powder 1 teaspoon Red chili powder
salt — Salt , to taste
mustard oil 4 tablespoons Mustard oil
rice flour 1 tablespoon Rice flour , optional, for extra crispiness

Instructions

  1. 1 Wash the eggplant thoroughly and cut it into 1/4-inch thick round slices.
  2. 2 In a bowl, mix turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt.
  3. 3 Coat the eggplant slices with the spice mixture evenly on both sides.
  4. 4 If using, sprinkle rice flour on the slices for extra crispiness.
  5. 5 Heat mustard oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
  6. 6 Once the oil is hot, carefully place the eggplant slices in the pan.
  7. 7 Fry the slices until they are golden brown on one side, then flip and fry the other side.
  8. 8 Remove the fried eggplant slices from the pan and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil.
  9. 9 Serve hot as a side dish with rice and dal.

Tips

For a smoky flavor, use mustard oil and ensure it is hot before adding the eggplant slices.