Ingredients
Method
- Rub the eggplant with a little oil and roast it directly over a gas flame, turning, for 12 to 15 minutes until the skin is charred all over and the flesh collapses. You can also roast it under a hot broiler.
- Cool, peel off the skin and mash the flesh.
- Heat oil, fry the cumin, then the onion until golden. Add ginger-garlic paste and chilli.
- Add tomatoes and spices and cook until soft.
- Add the mashed eggplant and salt and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring. Finish with coriander and serve with roti.
The spices that matter
The most common first spice in a tadka: crackle the seeds in hot oil or ghee before adding onions, dal or vegetables. Roasted and ground, it goes int…
No cumin? Caraway or shahi jeera are the closest whole-seed swaps. For ground cumin, use a little extra ground coriander with a pinch of chilli.
Adds heat to curries, dals, marinades and snacks. Most kitchens keep a hot powder for heat and Kashmiri chilli for colour.
No red chilli powder? Cayenne pepper is the closest swap. Mix with Kashmiri chilli or paprika to get colour with less heat.
A pinch goes into almost every dal, sabzi and curry, usually with the onions or straight into the dal as it boils. Fresh turmeric root is pickled in …
No turmeric? There is no real substitute for flavour. For colour only, a tiny pinch of saffron or Kashmiri chilli changes the shade, but not the taste.
Nice to have
The blend to use
Garam masala (Punjabi style): The best-known Indian spice mix: warm, aromatic and only mildly hot. Every household has its own version; this one is a classic Punjabi-sty…
Salt, oil or ghee, onions, ginger, garlic and fresh herbs are assumed. See how to make a tadka for the order to add whole spices.
Dishes with similar spices
Frequently asked questions
How long does baingan bharta take to make?
About 10 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.
What spices are in baingan bharta?
The essentials are cumin, red chilli powder, turmeric. Nice to have: coriander seed.
Tips from travellers
Use Baingan bharta differently at home? Share your tip. The first good one goes right here.