Andhra vepudu (dry stir-fry) with brinjal in sesame paste — spiced with sesame oil and aromatic tempering.
Ingredients
- 300g brinjal in sesame paste
- 3 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 2 dried red chillies
- 1 onion sliced
- 1 tsp red chilli powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1/4 tsp turmeric
- 2 tbsp grated coconut
- Salt to taste
Method
Prepare brinjal: Wash 8-10 small round vankaya (brinjals). Make a cross-cut from the base keeping the stem intact.
Make sesame-peanut stuffing: Dry roast 4 tbsp sesame seeds (nuvvulu) and 3 tbsp peanuts separately until golden. Cool. Grind together with 3 dried red chillies, 4 garlic cloves, 1 tsp coriander powder, a pinch of tamarind and salt to a thick coarse paste.
Stuff brinjals: Fill each brinjal's cross-cut generously with the sesame-peanut paste. Press firmly.
Heat oil: Heat 4 tbsp oil in a wide pan.
Fry stuffed brinjals: Place stuffed brinjals carefully in the pan. Fry on medium heat 5-6 minutes turning gently until lightly golden.
Cover and cook: Add 3 tbsp water. Cover and cook on low heat 12-15 minutes until brinjals are very soft.
Cook uncovered: Remove lid and cook on medium heat 4-5 minutes until the sesame stuffing forms a caramelised coating.
Make final tarka: Heat 1 tbsp oil. Add 1 tsp mustard seeds and curry leaves. Pour over the brinjals.
Toss gently: Coat each brinjal with the tempering.
Serve: Adjust salt. Nuvvula vankaya has a rich, nutty sesame flavour. Serve with steamed rice and dal.