Eggplant or Aubergine is also called Brinjal in many parts of Asia. Through this recipe, I am going to share how to make the South Indian style Eggplant Fry.
One can make some tasty dishes with eggplants and the pan-fried marinated slices are my favorite.
These eggplant steaks, as I like to call it, can be prepared in under 30 minutes- cooking time less than 15 minutes. It is a perfect side dish for both roti and rice.
I love this recipe mainly because you needn't go about chopping any other vegetable than the eggplant.
Of course, if you are a regular reader of this space, you know by now, I was a picky eater as a kid and I never had eggplants. But recently Mom shared this recipe with me and I fell in love with first, the aroma of the dish while the eggplant was beautifully getting fried. And Voila! I had to pick one and much on it. Tadaa! I loved it!
Eggplants are a very good source of dietary fiber. It has somehow been misunderstood as non-nourishing food. They are low in calories and can be used for controlling diabetes. Needless to say, it a perfect Keto diet approved vegetable as well.
It helps in limiting cholesterol and control high blood pressure and relieve stress.
So, what's stopping you? Stuff, grill, bake, roast or stew your eggplants—they’re delicious in most avatars!
| How to make Baingan Bharta - Charred and mashed eggplants cooked in a onion-tomato spice mix.
The recipe that I've shared here is how we make Brinjal fry Kerala style.
Brinjal Tawa Fry Recipe:
All you need to do is slice the brinjals in slightly thick roundels, marinate with spice powders, and shallow fry or pan-fry in preferably coconut oil, for the South Indian touch.
You needn't go about looking for those large eggplants, you can try with the smaller plump ones as well.
The marinade will be perfect for about 8 small brinjals or about 6 slices of the large ones. Below is the picture where I've used small brinjals for making this recipe.
What makes this recipe different from the Bengali Style Eggplant Fry or popularly known as Begun Bhaja is that the latter requires some kind of a binding agent to the marinade. You may either coat the eggplant slices with rice flour or dip them in a chickpea flour(besan) batter.
Recipe for Eggplant Fry:
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Eggplant Fry
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 3 persons 1x
Description
Quick, flavorful and a perfect vegan accompaniment for rice and roti!
Ingredients
- 8 small Eggplants or 6 slices from a bigger one
- 1 cup Water
- 1tbsp Salt
- Oil, for shallow frying
Marinade:
- 1tsp Red chili powder
- 4 cloves of Garlic, minced
- 2tsp Sambar powder
- 3tbsp water
- Curry leaves, for garnish, if need be
Instructions
- Wash and slice the eggplants in thick roundels.
- Soak in salted water for about ten minutes.
- Make a marinade of salt, red chili powder, minced garlic, sambar powder, and water.
- Heat oil in a wide pan. You need oil for shallow/pan-frying.
- Dip each eggplant roundel in the marinade and add it to the pan.
- Shallow fry on both sides. Add curry leaves too.
- Serve hot.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Kerala, Side Dishes, Veg
- Cuisine: South Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 slice
How to Make Brinjal Masala Fry
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you peel eggplant before frying?
I assume this is a question many have in mind. I know I did.
I prefer to fry my eggplants with skin on. Especially in this recipe, leaving the skin on holds its shape. Further, the skin has many nutrients in it and it'd be perfectly tender after frying.
How do you keep fried eggplant from getting soggy? How do you fry eggplant with less oil?
Eggplants tend to absorb a lot of oil. Therefore, I prefer pan-frying these eggplant slices using less oil. They can be air fried or baked too.
How do you make eggplant not gross?
Well, I was there, trust me! There could be many reasons why many people find eggplants disgusting. It can be mushy, chewy, or unattractive after cooking. But this recipe became my favorite in an instant and the brinjal fry is a constant side to my lunch at least thrice a week.
Is fried eggplant healthy?
Eggplants are low in calories and high in dietary fiber. However, a deep-fried eggplant absorbs a lot of oil and that's why I prefer shallow frying over the deep frying method.
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suman kher says
I've been off brinjal for ages! Tired of the usual stuff I used to make and then struggle to finish it all. But this sounds super yummy and a must try!
Shalini says
Thanks, Suman. I really hope you try it out soon.
Soumya says
I know brinjal is a hated vegetable, but I absolutely love it! Eggplant fry is something I make pretty often at home and it is so simple and goes so well with just some daal and rice. 🙂
Zainab says
This is just such a great recipe shalz !Good way to I can sneak some veggies to my kids as well!
Me Otherwise says
Trying it out ... toay... Looks good and seems soooooper easy!!!
MALINY says
I love brinjal and I love eating it just sauteed. Maybe I should try your recipe too 🙂
SHALINI BAISIWALA says
MMMMMM this sure does make my mouth water. I love your simplistic way of writing down the recipes n the pics are droolicious
Deepa says
I don't like eating egg plants but this recipe looks good ..I am surely gonna try it as my hubby likes it. 🙂
Parul Thakur says
Brilliant! All I need is simple things at home and this is getting added. easy peasy it looks and yum too.
Suzy says
Anything brinjal is yummy yummy yummy. Must try this.
Anindya Sundar Basu says
In bengali we call it begun bhaja and its a must have with luchi . We never use sambar powder with this
Nabanita says
It is similar to begun bhaja. We coat the brinjals with salt, turmeric and fry them. Crunchy fries . Or, coqt it in a besan batter and fry. Sometimes rice flour is also used. It is one of my favourites:)
Alana says
Sounds so good - I know it would be too hot for me but my husband would love it.