Sindhi Tarial Wangan (Eggplant Fry with South Indian flavour)

 

               Tarial Wangan is a traditonal Sindhi cuisine where the eggplants are scored, stuffed with spices and shallow fried. All eggplant lovers will simply love this classic dish. It is a very easy and a quick recipe that has minimum of ingredients. You can enjoy it either with steamed rice, jeera rice, pulao or as a side dish with dal-chawal or any type of Indian bread. It is a great party recipe and can be served during special occasions. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it. 

• 3-4 medium size eggplant
• 1 tbsp. salt
• 3 tbsp. idli podi
• 1 tsp. red chili powder
• 1 tsp. tamarind pulp
• oil to shallow fry
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• 1 tsp. coriander leaves, chopped

           Cut the eggplants into half keeping the stalk intact. Make crisscross lines with a knife and immediately dip them in salted water.

           Now mix together the idli podi, red chili powder, tamarind pulp and a sprinkle of some water. Set aside.

          Spread a little of the spice mix over the scored eggplants and keep aside. 

          Heat oil in a pan and fry the marinated eggplants on both sides on a low flame till well browned and tender. Halfway through add the curry leaves. 

          Garnish with coriander leaves and serve with rice or any Indian flat bread. 

Cut the eggplants into half keeping the stalk intact. Make crisscross lines with a knife & immediately dip them in salted water.

 Mix together the idli podi, red chili powder, tamarind pulp and a sprinkle of some water. Set aside.

Spread a little of the spice mix over the scored eggplants & keep aside. 

                  Heat oil in a pan & fry the marinated eggplants.....

            on both sides on a low flame till well browned and tender. 

                   Halfway through add the curry leaves. 

    Garnish with coriander leaves & serve with rice or any Indian flat bread. 

Begun Sundari (Fried Eggplant - Bong style)

 

          Begun Sundari is a Bong style flavorful eggplant fry that appears to look beautified with few basic seasonings. Hence the name - Begun Sundari. The eggplants are sliced into half and then marinated with a pinch of salt, turmeric powder. red chili powder and mustard oil. 

          They are then shallow fried and garnished with butter, sesame seeds, roasted cumin powder, pepper powder, green chilies and chopped coriander leaves. For more variation, you can drizzle some kasundi over them. It tastes awesome and can be served with either rice or chapatti. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare my version of this popular Bong delicacy.

• 4-5 long eggplants
• 1/4 tsp. salt or to taste
• 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1/4 tsp. red chili powder
• 3 tbsp. mustard oil
• 1 tsp. butter
• 1 tbsp. roasted sesame seeds
• 1/4 tsp. roasted cumin powder
• pinch of pepper powder
• 1 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped
• 1 tsp. green chilies, chopped

          Wash the eggplants and rinse them well. Cut them into half and score them with the tip of a knife so that they are evenly fried. 

          Marinate them with turmeric powder, red chili powder, salt and 1 tsp. mustard oil for 5 minutes. 

          Heat remaining oil in a pan and shallow fry the marinated eggplants, in batches on both sides till golden in color. 

          Transfer them to a plate. Apply some butter over them and garnish with roasted sesame seeds, roasted cumin powder, pepper powder, coriander leaves and chopped green chilies. Enjoy with rice or chapattis for a comforting meal. 

Note - 

          Typically roasted poppy seeds are sprinkled over the fried eggplants. However, I had to substitute it with sesame seeds as the former is unavailable at my place of residence.

Cut the eggplants into half & score them with the tip of a knife. Marinate them with turmeric powder, red chili powder, salt & 1 tsp. mustard oil for 5 minutes. 

Heat remaining oil in a pan & shallow fry them on both sides till golden in color. 

                  Transfer them to a plate. Apply some butter over them.

Garnish with roasted sesame seeds, roasted cumin powder, pepper powder, coriander leaves & chopped green chilies. 

                   Enjoy with rice or chapattis for a comforting meal. 

Vankaya Vepudu (Eggplant Fry - Andhra style)

 

            Vankaya Vepudu or in simple terms Eggplant Fry is an Andhra style spicy and tangy stir fry dish made of eggplants / brinjal. It is best enjoyed with hot steamed rice or as a side dish with curd rice, sambar rice or rasam rice. However, you may also enjoy with paratha or chapatti. 

          In fact, eggplants tastes better if prepared in this way. In this recipe I opted for baby eggplants. But you can also use any other variety of your choice. To enhance the flavor you may also drizzle some ghee while serving. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this classic and lip smacking regional delicacy.

           This Vankaya Vepudu is very popular dish in many regions of Andhra, where it is enjoyed by the local folk and found in every Andhra household and restaurants. Each family and restaurant has their own unique style of preparing it. 

           Basic ingredients, available in the kitchen goes into the preparation. However, peanuts, sesame seeds and coconut are the main spices used in the recipe besides others. It simply tastes awesome with just hot steamed rice with some ghee and you don't need anything else to satiate your hunger. A simple meal like this brings a deep satisfaction beyond compare. 

Ingredients - 

• 8-10 baby eggplants, sliced into 4 pieces
• 2-3 tbsp. oil
• 1 tbsp. chana dal
• 1 tsp. urad dal
• 1/2 tsp. mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp. cumin seeds
• 1/4 tsp. asafoetida
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• salt to taste 
• 1-2 sprigs curry leaves
• 1 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped

To grind - 

• 2 tbsp. peanuts, dry roasted
• 2 tbsp. sesame seeds, dry roasted
• 2 tbsp. fresh grated coconut, dry roasted
• 5-6 garlic cloves
• 1 tsp. cumin seeds
• 3 tbsp. red chili powder
• 1/2 tsp. tamarind paste

           Grind all the mentioned ingredients into a coarse powder and keep aside.

          Heat oil in a pan and temper with chana dal, urad dal, mustard seeds, cumin seeds and asafoetida. Sauté for a few seconds or till it stops spluttering.

          Add the onion and sauté till it turns translucent. Now add the eggplants, curry leaves, salt to taste and turmeric powder. Mix everything well and cook, covered till it turns soft. Keep stirring at intervals. 

          When done, add the coarsely ground spice mix and give it a stir so that the eggplants are well coated. 

          Now switch off the flame and garnish with coriander leaves. Serve with hot steamed rice, curd rice or chapatti. 

Notes - 

1.  Immerse the chopped eggplants in salt water to avoid discoloration. 

2.  Adjust the red chili powder according to your preference. However, this dish tastes yummy when it is spicy.

3.  I added tamarind paste in this recipe. You may use a small lime size ball of tamarind. 

4.  You may also serve vankaya vepudu with a drizzle of some ghee to enhance the flavor.

                                  Dry roast the peanuts, sesame seeds and grated coconut.

                                  Grind all the mentioned ingredients 

                                  into a coarse powder and keep aside.

                       Heat oil in a pan & temper with chana dal, urad dal, mustard seeds, 

                       cumin seeds & asafoetida. Sauté till it stops spluttering.

                                  Add the onion and sauté till it turns translucent. 

                      Add the eggplants, curry leaves, salt to taste & turmeric powder. Mix 

                      well & cook, covered till it turns soft. Keep stirring at intervals. 

                            When done, add the ground spice mix & give it a stir so that the 

                            eggplants are well coated.

                                 Garnish with coriander leaves. 

                                 Serve with hot steamed rice, curd rice or chapatti. 

Bengali Platter

          A traditional Bengali platter is an elaborate affair with a very large spread. But here is a medium size menu with some traditional homemade delicacies. To start with we have Aloo Uchche Bhaja (Potato Bitter Gourd Fry), Begun Bhaja (Eggplant Fry), Panch Mishali (Mixed Vegetable Curry), Aam diye Tok Dal (Raw Mango Lentil Curry), Bhapa Shorshe Chingri (Steamed Mustard Prawns), Ilish Macher Jhaal - (Bengali Hilsa Fish Curry), Sweet Tomato Chutney and Chaler Payesh (Rice Kheer / Pudding).

 

1.   Aloo Uchche Bhaja (Potato-Bitter Gourd Fry)


          This bitter preparation is a delicacy on a Bengali platter. It is served at the beginning of a meal as it is considered to cleanse the system. Add kasundi (mustard sauce) for a pungent flavour.

• 2 medium size Karela (Bitter Gourd), chopped finely
• 1 potato, chopped finely
• 1 tsp. panch phoron (equal quantity of fennel, cumin, mustard, fenugreek and nigella (kalonji) seeds)
• 1-2 whole dry red chilies, broken into two
• 2-3 tbsp. mustard oil
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tsp. ghee or 1 tsp. kasundi / mustard paste (opt)

          Heat oil in a pan and temper with whole dry red chilies and panch phoron. After it stops spluttering, add the chopped karela, salt and turmeric powder. Stir fry on a low flame till done. 

          When done, add the kasundi, if using, and stir well to combine. Serve with hot steamed rice. If not using kasundi, then treat yourself to some ghee.





2.  Begun Bhaja (Eggplant Fry)


          Begun Bhaja is very commonly had as a side dish. It goes extremely well with Khichdi, Veg. Pulao, Poori, Paratha or Chapati. I generally like having it mixed with plain steamed rice along with ghee and 1-2 fried whole red chilies. It simply tastes awesome.

          It is a very simple recipe where you need to choose larger variety eggplants. The thick slices of Eggplants are marinated with salt and turmeric powder and then shallow fried in mustard oil to perfection.

• 1 large Eggplant 
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• mustard oil to shallow fry

          Cut the eggplants into 1/2" thick slices. Wash well and drain. Apply salt and turmeric powder and marinate for 10 minutes.

          Heat oil in a pan and fry them in batches on both sides till golden brown. Drain and serve as a side dish with khichdi / plain rice / veg. pulao / poori / paratha or chapatti.




3.  Panch Mishali (Mixed Vegetable Curry)

           This is a traditional mish mash curry of 5 veggies. So you can choose any 5 types of vegetables to cook up this simple delicacy. I have also added fried vadi (dried lentil dumplings), but for a non-veg. version, it is generally cooked either with prawns or fish head.This dish is a very common menu on a Bengali platter It is relished with rice, khichdi (Rice porridge), chapati, poori or paratha.

• 1 cup each of eggplants, pumpkin, green papaya, radish & parwal (pointed gourd), cubed
• 8-10 vadi (dried lentil dumplings)
• 2-3 tbsp, mustard oil
• 1 tsp. panch phoron (equal quantity of fennel, fenugreek, cumin, mustard & nigella seeds)
• 1" cinnamon stick
• 2 green cardamoms
• 4-5 cloves
• 1-2 green chilies, broken into half
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp. ginger paste
• 1 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tsp. coriander-cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp. garam masala powder
• salt to taste
• 1 tsp. ghee
• coriander leaves to garnish

          Heat oil in a pan and fry the vadi till golden brown. Drain and keep aside. Temper the same oil with panch phoron, bay leaf, dry red chili, cinnamon, cardamoms and cloves.

          Saute for a few seconds. Then add the ginger paste and all the dry spices mixed with a little water. Saute till oil separates.

          Add all the chopped veggies and the fried vadis. Cover and cook on a low flame till the moisture evaporates.

          At this point if the veggies are not soft enough, add 1/2 - 1 cup water and continue to simmer, covered, till done. Add ghee and serve, garnished with coriander leaves.

  
4.  Aam diye Tok Er Dal (Raw Mango Lentil Curry)

           A simple Bengali dal, it is mostly prepared during summer. Few Kaffir lime leaves can be added while boiling the dal for some refreshing flavour. It is best had with plain steamed rice and some aloo bhaja (deep fried potato strips) as a side dish. I do sometimes add some ghee to enhance the taste and flavour. 

• 1/2 cup masoor dal (red lentil), soaked for 30 minutes
• 1/2 small raw mango, cut into small pieces
• 1 tbsp. mustard oil
• 1/2 tsp. mustard seeds
• 1-2 whole dry red chilies
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder

          Pressure cook the dal in 1 cup water for 3-4 whistles. When cool, blend well with salt and turmeric powder.

          Heat oil and temper with red chilies and mustard seeds. After it stops spluttering, add the chopped mango pieces and saute till light brown.

          Add the boiled dal and simmer on low flame for 2-3 minutes. Add more water if you want a soup like consistency. Serve hot with steamed rice accompanied by fried potatoes strips.



5.  Bhapa Shorshe Chingri (Steamed Mustard Prawns)

          This is a traditional Bengali delicacy where prawns are steam cooked in a mustard-coconut gravy.  Mustard oil is used for an authentic taste and flavour. It is best relished with only plain steamed rice. 

• 200 gms. prawns, cleaned
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp. red chili powder
• 1 tbsp. yoghurt
• 1 tbsp. mustard oil
• 1-2 tbsp. fresh grated coconut
• 1-2 tbsp. kasundi / mustard paste
• 2 green chilies, slit
• 1-2 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped

          In a bowl, combine all the above mentioned ingredients and transfer to a steel container with a lid. 

          Steam for 15 minutes. (If using pressure cooker do not put the went and steam for 5 minutes on high and then the remaining on a medium flame). Serve with plain steamed rice.



Note:
1. If using mustard paste - soak it for 30 minutes and then grind along with a pinch of turmeric powder and one green chili. This will prevent it from turning bitter.

6.  Ilish Maacher Jhaal - (Bengali Hilsa Fish Curry)

   
           

• 3 pieces of Hilsa fish, cleaned
• 2 tbsp. mustard oil to fry the fish
• 1/2 tsp. kalonji (nigella seeds)
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tsp. red chili powder
• 2-3 green chilies, slit
• 1 tsp. raw mustard oil
• 1 tsp. coriander leaves, chopped

          Marinate the fish pieces with a pinch of salt and turmeric powder for 10 minutes. Make a paste with the turmeric powder, red chili powder and 1/2 cup water. Keep aside.

          Heat 2 tbsp. oil and fry the fish pieces slightly on both sides. Drain and keep aside. Temper the same oil with kalonji. Saute for a few seconds. Add the paste and salt. Bring it to a boil.

          Add the fried fish pieces and green chilies. Simmer on a medium flame for 2 minutes. Add the raw mustard oil and switch off the flame. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve with plain steamed rice.





7. Sweet Tomato Chutney - 

           This tomato chutney is a must-have on a Bengali platter. It is served at the end of a meal and just before the dessert.

• 3-4 tomatoes, chopped
• 2 tbsp. mustard oil
• 1/2 tsp. panch phoron
• 1-2 bay leaves
• 1-2 dry red chilies
• 1 tsp. ginger, grated
• pinch of salt
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• sugar to taste
• few chopped dry fruits (opt)
• 1/2 tsp. panch phoron powder

           Heat oil in a pan. Temper with panch phoron, dry red chilies and bay leaves. Add the ginger and saute for a few seconds.

           Add the tomatoes and continue to stir fry on a low flame till it is mashed. Add the salt, sugar and the dry fruits. 

           Mix well and cook, covered till it turns thick. Add the panch phoron powder and switch off the flame. Give it a stir and serve.





8.  Chaler Payesh (Rice Kheer / Pudding) - 

          This is a traditional Bengali Rice Kheer / Pudding / Payasam that is served at the end of a meal. it is also prepared on many important festive occasions and ceremonies. A special variety of aromatic rice called Gobindo Bhog is generally used in this recipe. But you can also substitute it with Basmati Rice. Relish it at room temperature or chilled. 

   

 

• 1/4 cup small grained aromatic rice, soaked in water for 30 minutes
• 1 litre milk
• pinch of salt
• 1 tsp. ghee
• 1-2 bay leaves
• 2-3 green cardamoms, bruised
• 1/2 cup sugar or to taste
• 1-2 tsp. chopped nuts
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1 tsp. rose water

          Heat ghee in a pan. Add the bay leaves and cardamoms. Pour in the milk. Bring it to a boil and add the rice. Continue to simmer on a low flame till it becomes soft. 

          Add the salt, chopped nuts and sugar and give it a stir. Continue to simmer till it turns slightly thick and you get the right consistency. 

          Switch off the flame and add the cardamom powder and rose water. Mix well and serve at room temperature or chilled.




9.  Plain Steamed Rice - 

• 1 cup basmati rice, soaked for 30 minutes

          Pressure cook the rice in 1 & 1/2 cups water for one whistle. Alternatively cook in an open saucepan in sufficient water till done. Drain and serve.

Beguni (Batter Fried Eggplant - Bengali Style)

          These batter fried Beguni or Eggplant Fry are very commonly prepared in most of the Bengali homes and is also a very popular street food in Kolkata. They go very well as a side dish with khichdi, pulao or dal-rice. 

          They can also be relished as a tea-time snack or as appetizers with tomato sauce, mayo or any chutney. The options are plenty. So here is my version of this yummy and crispy fritters that tastes simply divine on any rainy day in particular with your loved ones. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 3-4 long & broad eggplants, sliced to 1/2 " thickness
• salt to taste
• 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
• 3/4 cup besan (gram flour)
• 1/2 tsp. kalonji (nigella seeds)
• 1 tsp. ginger, grated
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1-2 green chilies, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp. onion, finely chopped (opt)
• oil to deep fry

          Marinate the eggplants with salt and half the turmeric powder for 10 minutes. Make a batter of pouring consistency with the besan and all the other ingredients (except oil) with required quantity of water.

          Heat oil in a pan. Dip the eggplants in the batter few at a time and deep fry till golden in colour. Drain on a kitchen towel and serve hot along with khichuri (khichdi), tomato sauce or chutney.

                     Marinate eggplants with salt & half the turmeric powder for 10 minutes.
                     Make batter of pouring consistency with besan and all ingredients (except 
                     oil) with required quantity of water.

                      Heat oil. Dip eggplants in batter & deep fry till golden in colour. Drain 
                      on a kitchen towel.

Serve hot along with khichuri (khichdi), tomato sauce or chutney.