If you’re looking for a simple yet flavorful dish to elevate your meal, brinjal fry is a perfect choice. This delightful recipe highlights the tender and rich texture of brinjals, enhanced by the nutty and aromatic nature of cold-pressed groundnut oil. Known for its health benefits and distinct flavour, groundnut oil adds a subtle depth to the dish. Whether served as a side dish or enjoyed on its own, this brinjal fry is sure to bring warmth and satisfaction to your table. In this blog, we’ll guide you through the recipe to bring this delectable dish into your kitchen.
Why Use Cold-Pressed Groundnut Oil?
Before we get into the brinjal fry recipe let us first look at the benefits of cold-pressed groundnut oil.
- It lowers LDL cholesterol and increases HDL cholesterol for heart health.
- It is rich in Vitamin E
- It supports joint health and alleviates arthritis symptoms with anti-inflammatory effects.
- It moisturizes your skin and promotes healthy hair and helps treat scalp conditions.
- It is suitable for frying and sautéing without losing nutritional value due to its high smoke point.
- It also contains dietary fibres that promote gut health and support beneficial bacteria.
This is why we recommend you use cold-pressed groundnut oil to make this brinjal fry. Bring the goodness of this healthy ingredient into your home! Now let us get into the recipe.
Ingredients That You Will Need
- 250 grams brinjal (eggplant)
- 2 tablespoons cold-pressed groundnut oil
- ½ teaspoon mustard seeds
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste (or 2 chopped garlic cloves)
- 1 green chilli (slit or chopped, optional)
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt (as per your taste)
- 1 sprig of curry leaves
- ½ to ¾ teaspoon garam masala (or 1 to 2 teaspoons idli podi)
- ½ to ¾ teaspoon red chilli powder (adjust to taste)
- 3 tablespoons raw peanuts (optional, for crunch)
- Lemon juice (to taste)
Let’s Make Brinjal Fry!
- Start by washing the brinjal and cutting it into ¾ to 1-inch pieces. Soak the pieces in a bowl of salted water (2 cups water with ¼ teaspoon salt) for about 10 minutes to prevent discolouration and bitterness.
- In a hot pan, add 2 tablespoons of cold-pressed groundnut oil. Once the oil is hot, add ½ teaspoon mustard seeds and ½ teaspoon cumin seeds and allow them to splutter.
- Then add 1 teaspoon of ginger garlic paste and the slit green chilli to the pan. Sauté this mixture until the raw smell fades and turns aromatic.
- Drain the brinjal pieces and transfer them into the pan. Sprinkle in about ¼ teaspoon each of turmeric and salt. Give everything a good stir on medium-high heat for a few minutes, around 3 or so. Then, cover the pan, lower the heat, and let the brinjals cook. Stir it every now and then, until they turn nice and soft.
- If you are using peanuts, add 3 tablespoons of raw peanuts in a separate pan and dry roast them until they are golden and aromatic. Allow them to cool, then coarsely crush them using a mortar and pestle or a grinder.
- Once the brinjals are tender, add a sprig of curry leaves, the crushed peanuts, and ½ to ¾ teaspoon of garam masala. Mix everything well and taste for seasoning. Adjust by adding red chilli powder and salt as needed. Then, fry the brinjal for an additional 2-3 minutes until it is fragrant.
- Now, turn off the heat and, if you want, add a splash of lemon juice to finish. Then transfer the brinjal fry to a serving bowl and enjoy.
With its soft, flavourful brinjal pieces infused with the rich, nutty taste of cold-pressed groundnut oil, this brinjal fry recipe is a comforting addition to any meal. Simple yet satisfying, it’s a dish that brings out the natural flavours of the ingredients, making it perfect for both everyday dinners and special occasions. Serve it alongside rice, ghee, and sambar for a complete meal. Enjoy your healthy and flavourful dish!
