Eggplant in Mustard Gravy (Baigan Saiso)
This is a delicious vegan Indian eggplant dish published in one of the best Indian cookbooks our there – Tasting India: Heirloom Family Recipes by Christine Manfield.
Tasting India is a travel and cooking book that recounts Christine’s journey in India. Christine shares some delicious recipes that she discovered in her Indian journey – many of them vegetarian or vegan.
This eggplant in mustard gravy is called locally baigan saiso and is a traditional dish in Uttar Pradesh. Enjoy!
Eggplant in Mustard Gravy (Baigan Saiso)
Ingredients
- 1 kilogram small eggplants
- 1 litre mustard oil
- 280 grams curds
- juice of one lemon
- 2 teaspoons salt
Mustard-chilli paste:
- 12 large dried red chillies
- 4 tablespoons yellow mustard seeds
Instructions
- To make the mustard-chilli paste, soak the dried chillies in warm water for 30 minutes to soften.
- Grind the mustard seeds using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.
- Transfer to a blender, add the drained softened chillies together with ½ cup (125 ml) water and blend to a smooth thick paste.
- Soak the eggplant chunks in water for 10 minutes to remove any bitterness, then drain and pat dry with paper towel.
- Heat the oil in a kadhai or wok and, when hot, fry the eggplant in batches until softened but not coloured. Drain on paper towel.
- Tip all except 2 tablespoons of the oil out of the pan. Add the mustard-chilli paste and fry, stirring constantly, for 10 minutes until fragrant and starting to colour.
- Stir in the curd, lemon juice and salt and cook for 5 minutes. Return the eggplant to the pan and stir to combine, then cook over a medium heat for another 10–15 minutes. Serve hot.
Notes
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Related: Sweet & Sour Tomatoes
Related: Best Vegetarian Eggplant Dishes
Related: Greek Stuffed Eggplant with Chickpeas
Related: Easy Eggplant Pasta with Mozzarella
Related: Eggplant Soup with Miso & Chili
Related: 50 Famous Indian Dishes