Baingan bhaja or Begun bhaja is a Bengali snack, where baingan (eggplant, aubergine) is cut into thin slices, marinated for about 20 minutes and then shallow fried. Soft, warm and mildly spiced, they are a tasty snack and can also be enjoyed as an accompaniment with roti or rice.
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time15 minutesmins
Total Time25 minutesmins
Course: Snack
Cuisine: Indian
Servings: 2
Calories: 103kcal
Ingredients
3long eggplants
1tspkashmiri red chilli power
1/2tspturmeric
Salt to taste
1/2tsppoppy seedsoptional
Oil for shallow frying
Instructions
Cut the eggplant into thin slices (~1/2 inch). Soak in salt water as you cut.
Mix red chilli powder, turmeric, salt and poppy seeds in a bowl. Poppy seeds give the baingan slices crispiness. But they are not essential to the recipe.
Drain the eggplant slices, and rub each with the spice mix on both side. Keep aside for 15 - 20 mins.
Heat oil in a shallow frying pan. Once the oil is hot, shallow fry in batches. Flip in the middle and cook until the eggplant is soft and cooked. Be careful not to overcook else the slices will lose their shape.
Serve hot as a snack or a vegetarian accompaniment in the thali.
Notes
I had a few leftovers and the next day I used them as filling for my lunch sandwich and they tasted awesome.
The same recipe can also be used with other vegetables like potatoes, bottle gourd and sweet potato.