Begun Bhaja/Baingan Bhaja combined with Tomato Salsa

Just while browsing through my recipes I had realized I have posted any Bengali cuisine whereas I make one of them regularly at home. So today i Just while browsing through my recipes I had realized I have posted any Bengali cuisine whereas I make one of them regularly at home. So today I am posting a starter or even you can say it’s a side dish to go along with rice, Begun Bhaja or Baingun Bhaja. Baingan/begun means Eggplant and Bhaja means roasted, so note down how to make it.

Serves: 4

Category: Starter/Side Dish

• 1 large eggplant (baingan/begun) cut into half inch round slices
• 1 tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp turmeric powder/hadli
• 1 tsp dried mango/amchur powder (optional)
• rice flour as required to roll the slices
• salt as required
• mustard oil or any oil cooking oil for frying

INSTRUCTIONS

Rinse the eggplant (baingan) well in water. Pat dry with a kitchen towel.

Now slice the eggplant in ½ inch thick roundels.

Soak these slices in salt water for 15-20 minutes, by doing this the baingans will not turn black in colour. Remove and pat dry all the slices.

Now add all the spice powders and salt and mix the slices well. Marinate for atleast 8-10 minutes.

Heat oil in a pan. Take rice flour in a plate. Coat each slice with rice flour.

Now pan fry the baingan slices till crisp and golden brown on both sides.

Drain baingan slices on kitchen tissues.

Serve Begun Bhaja hot with yogurt, salsa and some bread or rotis or rice and dal.

For the Tomato Salsa we need:

Ingredients

• 2-3 medium sized fresh tomatoes (from 1 lb to 1 1/2 lb), stems removed, finely diced
• ½ onion, finely diced
• 1 tbsp  jalapeño chilli (stems, ribs, seeds removed), finely chopped
• Juice of one lime
• 1tsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp finely chopped cilantro
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Roasted cumin powder to sprinkle(optional)

Method

 Chop up 2 medium sized fresh tomatoes. Be very careful while handling these hot peppers. If you can, avoid touching them with your hands.

 Combine all of the ingredients in a medium sized bowl.

Check the taste if salsa is too hot add some extra tomatoes.

I hope you liked today’s new creation at Aps Kitchen,

Till then Happy Cooking.