Cuisine: Andhra Pradesh
Category: Lunch
Prep: 20 min
Cook: 25 min
Serves: 4
Difficulty: Medium
🌿 Vegetarian
Small round brinjals stuffed with a ground peanut, sesame and coconut masala then braised — the quintessential Andhra Pradesh brinjal preparation.
Ingredients
- 12 small round brinjals — slit into 4 from base keeping stem intact
- For stuffing:
- 4 tbsp raw peanuts — dry-roasted and ground
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds — dry-roasted
- 2 tbsp freshly grated coconut — lightly roasted
- 1 tsp red chilli powder
- 1/2 tsp coriander powder
- 1/4 tsp turmeric
- 1/4 tsp garam masala
- 1 tbsp tamarind paste
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- Salt
- 3 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 8 curry leaves
Method
- Make stuffing: combine all stuffing ingredients into a crumbly, moist paste.
- Stuff each slit brinjal firmly with the paste.
- Heat 3 tbsp oil in a wide pan. Add mustard seeds — pop. Add curry leaves.
- Place stuffed brinjals in the pan. Cover. Cook on medium-low for 5 minutes.
- Add any remaining stuffing to the pan with 1/3 cup water.
- Stir around the brinjals gently.
- Cover and cook on medium for 12 to 15 minutes turning brinjals once carefully until completely tender.
- Uncover. Cook 3 minutes. Season with salt.