Stuffed eggplant


The vegetable eggplant rarely held a good standing in the household I grew up, it was almost always the purple floating object in a sambar or an ingredient in a last minute stir fry, except for a limited number of occasions when my mother made a pretty decent curry with lots of coconut milk added. But to get a feel of how interesting this vegetable can be when used properly in a recipe, I had to wait for a couple of more years till the day I tasted Baingan Bharta for the first time in a Mumbai restaurant. It was rich creamy and mildly fragrant, pleasantly different from any of the eggplant dishes I ever tasted. I buy Indian egg plant very often these days, and I am hooked for life to a stuffed egg plant recipe of Indira’s, and now I even have a recipe of my own! Well, it uses the same elements my mother uses in the curry I mentioned; only that the ingredients are stuffed inside the eggplant, and baked. To make this you will need Indian eggplants of medium size. It is as easy as scooping the flesh out, sautéing with spices and onions, refilling the shells and baking.

Indian eggplant –4 nos
Chopped onions – ½ cup
Ginger paste- ½ tsp
Chopped garlic- 1 tsp
Thick coconut milk – 1 ½ tbsp
Chopped green chilly skins (I used jalapeno)- 1 tsp
Curry leaves, chopped fine – 3
Red chilly powder – ¼ tsp (adjust according to your taste)
Salt- to taste
Oil (Did I say coconut?)- ½ tsp + ½ tsp for brushing

Split each eggplant horizontally into two halves, scoop out the flesh leaving about 5mm on the shell. Heat ½ tsp oil till smoking hot; add chopped onion, ginger, garlic, green chilies, chopped eggplant flesh and curry leaves. Stir fry for 1 minute. Mix in chilly powder, add salt and coconut milk. Turn of the heat, and let it cool for 5-10 minutes. Fill the eggplant shells with this mixture. Brush with coconut oil and bake at 350 degree in a preheated oven for 15-20 minutes. Serve hot with rice and a yogurt based curry on the side.

74 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's the beauty of regional Indian cuisines - each stuffed vegetable recipe is unique and classic. I love stuffed brinjals and make innumerable variations of stuffings.

Your recipe is simple and am sure delicious.

Can't view the pictures, Archana?

Anonymous said...

Wow! Neat photos and a simple recipe... I am sure they'd taste out of the world.

Cheers,
Mythili

Anonymous said...

Yes, I can view the pics now.
Lovely pictures!

Gattina Cheung said...

Archanan,
I have been missing your post! Hope everything fine with you =)
What to stuff into eggplant itself nothing better than... eggplant!!! It's my kind of dish! I have looked for Indian eggplant but no avail, but I won't give up, your recipe and that pics are my incentive!!! What an elegant style you created for this dish!

Sia said...

thats a simple dish archana... so few ingredients yet tasty food on table. love the pictures...

SK said...

WOW !! looks great archana. Was wondering where u were, since didnt see any posts for quite some time. Hope all is fine with you.

Does the flesh scoop out easily from the eggplants ??

Krithika said...

Saw your comment in one of the blogs that you were unwell. Hope you are feeling better. This is a nice recipe. Pics look gorgeous as always

FH said...

Almost looks like Caviar!!:) Great recipe and photos!

Annita said...

simple recipe,nice photos and sounds delicious too...it is definitely a keeper,Archana.thanks ..And where have u been all these times?

Mishmash ! said...

Hii :)
Looks tempting, sounds yummy !! but I cannot try this as CJJ doesnt even come near egg plant; he developed some aversion towards this veg'ble during his hostel days;Once I made a nice spicy stir fry with it and served saying its an american veg'be and he had it with no fuss, I shd say he liked it too but the minute I told him its egg plant, he stopped touching it :)))

Shn

Brilynn said...

Those look so good! I never have much luck cooking with eggplant, but I always like it when other people make it for me!

Mrs. K said...

What a beauty! I make stuffed eggplants with ground meat stuffing. I would love to try this vegetarian version.

Anonymous said...

I love eggplant and guess what? I just found another way of preparing my favourite veggie. Thanks a ton! Beautiful photography too!

Anonymous said...

A very novel and appetizing dish. Your pics are fantastic too!

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness! Last week, for the first time, I bought Indian eggplant. I wasn't sure how to prepare them but I figured I'd find a recipe. And now I find yours! Excellent!

Anonymous said...

looks so delicious.I am sure it tastes awesome.

Bong Mom said...

Looks so beautiful and exotic :) The recipe appears simple, don't know what will happen when I try it

wheresmymind said...

I dig eggplant only in select dishes...and only if it has been prepared properly :)

Nidhi said...

Beautiful picture Archana! I also make stuffed Egg-plant like this, but never tried coconut milk in it. This might be a South Indian secret for this recipe, to make it even more yummy, right? :D
Nidhi.

Sangeeta said...

Mmmm Mmmmm this looks sooooooo good. Can't wait to try this one out. I like eggplant and am always looking for new ways to cook this veggie. Thanks for sharing :)

Seema Bhat said...

The stuffed eggplants looks amazingly beautiful. Isn't baingan raja a very versatile veggie. Loved the recipe. Simple and neat.
Thanx Archana

Prema Sundar said...

Hi Archana,
I don't like brinjal that much when I was young.. same like u I liked baingan bartha and the stuffed guthu vankaya. I make guthu vankaya more often and everybody loves it. Your recipe of stuffed and baked eggplant sounds easy to me than making guthuvankaya. Would love to try it soon and surely let u know. thanks for a good and new recipe

Inji Pennu said...

Dont I have to do anything like salt,chili etc to shell of the egg plant?

Just saw the comments about you being sick..ayyo what happened ? :(

starry said...

I love eggplant and this dish looks so yummy.love the pics.

Revathi said...

makes me want to pop one into my mouth !!hope ur feeling better

Anonymous said...

I wish the store was open now -- I would run right out for some baby eggplants! Looks just beautiful Archana :)

Shah cooks said...

It has a nice kerala touch to it..love ur innovation.

Anonymous said...

Looks delicious! I'm a big fan of baingan bharta myself, so this sounds like a lovely variation, yum!

HAREKRISHNAJI said...

Tempting as usal

Anonymous said...

ithu baingan bhartha ude vere oru version aano? looks yummy!

KF said...

Amazing,Every time I took one brinjal to put in Sambar.This is really great idea..I will take more next on shopping..

J said...

Your recipes and pictures are amazing! I like the sound of the recipe, esp the coconut milk part. Am sure its lip-smacking!:)

Menu Today said...

Hi Archana,
Another version to try.Beautiful Pic. Thanks for sharing.

Shruti said...

yammy food....
it really had watered my mouth...

swapna susarla said...

wow archana
i am a great fan of eggplant.
this is great..indeed mouthwatering.
thanks for sharing

The Culinary Chase said...

Eggplant has to be one of my favorite vegetables. I don't think I've ever had an eggplant dish I didn't like. Yours looks delicious!

Chandrika said...

Great recipe and wonderful pictures, Archana!

Sri said...

Wow archana...the filling looks delicious and the color is perfect...you posted after a long time...happy valentines day in advance.

archana said...

Sailaja
Thank you Sailu, glad that you are here today. I was trying to post comments in your blog for the past couple weeks with out much luck. Yours is one of the blogs I frequent, just wanted to let you know that I am there.

Mythili
Thank you, it tastes good, still I think those stuffed recipes from AP are the best.


Gattina
Thank you dear, I was caught up in a busy schedule, hopefully things will slow down soon. Thank you for these kind words.

Sia
Thank you Sia, I am happy that you liked it. I was very reluctant to post it.


SK
Thank you for checking with me SK, I am OK, a nasty lingering cold kicked off the New Year, and then I got a little bit busy with my everyday life. I hope I will be able to slow down and a take a deep breath by next month or so. The flesh actually comes of very easily, a tiny spoon 0r measuring spoon or melon baller works very well for this.

Krithika

Thank you. I am OK now, had cold which stayed on and off for sometime. I am totally out of it (touch wood), but my schedule is a bit hectic right now. Should be back to normal in a month or so.

Asha
Great ! Thank you.

Annita
Thank you dear, I ended up being busy somehow. Should be getting back to my normal schedule in a month or so.

Shn,
Thank you. Ha, Ha I know what you are talking about, T is not a big fan of it either. I think we either love it or hate it.

Brilynn
True, some of the best egg plant dishes I tasted were all made by others.


RP
Thank you. I make egg plant parmesan with those big ones, could you please share your meat stuffing recipe with us?

Hema
Thanks a ton Hema.


Nalini
Thank you Nalini, I am glad that you liked it.


Ivonne
See, wise women think alike!!

Lalitha
Thanks Lalitha.


Sandeepa
I will tell you this right now, this is going to get even better in your hands.


Wheresmymind
I am totally with you on this matter. Eggplants deserve an outstanding recipe all the time.


Nidhi
I just added coconut milk just for fun (For me, adding coconut milk in a curry is almost like an involuntary action). It tasted good, but I am sure it will taste as good without coconut milk too. Thank you.


Sangeeta
Sounds great! Thank you.

Seema
Ahaa, you do love your Baingan raja !!! Please share your favorite recipes with us, I am a huge fan of your veggie recipes. Thank you.


Prema Sundar
Thank you. Guthuvankaya can beat the pants off this recipe at any time of the day. I just love that dish. I am glad that you liked this one too.

Inji Pennu
You can sprinkle some if you want to. But if you adjust the salt in the filling it should be alright. I am OK now thank you for checking.

Starry nights
Thank you so much

Revathi
Take one please; I am alright now, thank you.

Linda
Wow, really? Thank you Linda, I am super glad.


Mallugirl
Thank you.

Monisha
Good to see you back. Thank you.


HAREKRISHNAJI

Thank you


Vidhu
Alla ketto.. Ithu chumma thattikuttiyathaneee. Thank you.

KitchenFairy
That was the case with me too till I found some interesting recipes. Thank you, I am glad that you liked it.

Jyothsna
Thank you for your kind words. I am happy that you liked it.


Menu Today
Thank you. MT, I can’t post comments in your blog, I am trying for the past couple of days.


Shruti
Thanks a bunch.


Swapna
Thanks much, being an ardent fan of this veggie, I am sure you will have many splendid recipes for this. I am so happy that you liked it.

The Culinary Chase
Thank you. I somehow have this love it-hate it go with this veggie.

Chandrika
Thank you so much.

Sri
Thank you. I am a little bit busy these days Sri, should be getting back to normal soon. Happy Valentine’s Day to you, enjoy !

Anonymous said...

This looks absolutely delicious! Thanks for the recipe... th ephotos are great!
Ciao.

jacob said...

beautiful. i made stuffed aubergines too, but nothing as cool as this. thanks for the rceipes, and i think i've said this before, beautiful photos.

Anonymous said...

Glad to know your there, Archana..:). I don't know what's the problem with comment option .:(

Sumitha said...

Archu what is this,you have made a cooked aubergine look beautiful!!!!I know you love aubergines but i am one of those who stay far away from them,i have never liked its taste!

Dr. Soumya Bhat said...

Hi Archana,
This looks soo good.Wonderful photograpy i must say.Its looks professional .

Unknown said...

Hi
Thanks for this delicious presentation of the stuffed eggplant. Chk out this Microwave method of stuffed brinjals:
http://www.indusladies.com/forums/2152-post1.html
Sure you would like it

Mandira said...

Archana - this looks awesome. Such a wonderful recipe, will try it soon.

Inji Pennu said...

Dear Archana,
Want to join us?
I have posted the
Event.

It will be on March 5th. Let us spread the word. Thanks a lot for your support.

HAREKRISHNAJI said...

Sounds Interesting. Tonight's menu at my home was Bahrali Vangi.

Anupama said...

Archana, Eggpalnt has never looked more beautiful. Even my husband who normally rejects anything that has eggplant would go for this. Thanx

marriedtoadesi.com said...

Archana,

I love the eggplant pictures. They turned out very well. My m-in-law recently taught me a similar stuffed eggplant recipe, and I am in love with them now!

Anonymous said...

I had a look at your blog long before, but now had a closer look.
Are you a professional in culinary arts?...The images are so tempting...Outstanding work Archana!

Inji Pennu said...

sughayo kutti?

Anonymous said...

ahem.

Anonymous said...

are you not feeling well? :( Just saw inji pennu asking sugaayo kuttti.. what happened? Get well soon.

archana said...

Ingi,Rpeez,
Njan OK anu ketto, ithiri thirakkayippoyi. Thank you.

Vani said...

That looks beautiful- like a work of art!!! I'm sure it tastes just as wonderful!! I love eggplant and this recipe, I'll be saving for futureuse. Thanks, Archana! :)

Sumitha said...

Archoose where are you?Ok now i shouldnt be asking this myself, someone who has diappeared from the blogosphere for now!mmm....everything ok no,then take your time.Missing you!

Anonymous said...

WOW ! I am tongue tied seeing the delectable food. I am deliciously delighted

Anonymous said...

Wow Archana This dish is simple superb. Finally I fond a good pad thai ( with out fish & oyster sauce) in your blog and Kashmari pulao looks divine:). I'm totally flattered with ur baking skills. I was in Oregon for few months and I love the beauty of that place. I'm going to add u in my buddy list I hope that's fine with u. Will keep visiting u.

nini said...

Quelle belle recette!!

Anonymous said...

I came to your site from Padmaja's Veggie Cookbook and I just had to stop and tell you how much I love your photography! And I love this stuffed eggplant recipe! I'll be back!

Anonymous said...

Hi..really liked ur version of stuffed eggplant...

P.S: Have blogrolled you... :)

Anonymous said...

93mOG2 Your blog is great. Articles is interesting!

Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

Nice Article.

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Anonymous said...

Hello all!

Shivali said...

yummy its so looks so tempting.

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