Stuffed Brinjals

Stuffed eggplant or stuffed brinjals is a favorite of many. For this you need small size tender brinjals.

On my usual Thursday vegetable shopping spree, I came across pretty purple tiny eggplants at Indian store.  I made this Karameethu on next day itself.

Ingredients:

 Tender small brinjals -20 no

Salt to taste

Stuffing powder

For stuffing powder 

Coriander seeds                1/4 cup

Bengal gram / Chenna dal – 6tbsp

Urad dal                         – 4 tsp.

Black Pepper                   1 tsps

Cumin Seeds                   1 tsp

Dry Coconut                    1/2 cup

Red Chillies                   - 20 no (according to spice level)

Salt                              to taste

Oil                               1 tbsp

Curry leaves                 a few

Asafetida                    ¼ tsp

Seasonings:       

Oil                            4 tbsp

Curry leaves             1 stem

Mustard seeds           ½ tsp

Preparation:

• Wash and dry the brinjals. Keep aside. Prepare the stuffing first.
• Roast all stuffing ingredients in oil. Grind them coarsely in a mixer. Now stuffing powder is ready.
• Cut the brinjals into 4 pieces (not fully-leave little stem part.)
• Simply stuff the slit brinjals with spice powders.
•  Arrange them in a microwave steamer and steam for about 6 minutes.

• Remove it from microwave and. Keep aside.
• Heat the oil in a cast iron pan, fry all seasonings.
• Place the stuffed eggplants and cover the pan with a tight lid. Sprinkle salt.
• Cover and cook the eggplants in a low flame for about 10 - 15minutes.
•  After 10 minutes, remove the lid . Again cook it for 5 more minutes.
• Throughout the15 mins, turn the eggplants every 3 or 4 minutes so all the sides get evenly cooked.
• Do this carefully without breaking the brinjals.
• When the brinjals are well cooked and soft to touch.  Switch off the stove.
• Garnish with chopped curry leaves.
• Serve hot with rice, Sathuamuthu, Kozhambu.

Tip:  

• Use low to medium heat; not high. High heat spoils the taste.
•  You can store the left over stuffing powder in an air tight container for future use.

stuffed Brinjals