Bagara Baingan is a delicious Indian curry dish that features tender eggplants stuffed with a delectable blend of spices and simmered in a rich and aromatic gravy.

This vegetarian delight is known for its unique combination of flavors and is often served as a main course accompanied by rice or flatbreads.

In this comprehensive guide, we will take you through the step-by-step method of preparing Bagara Baingan, along with important notes and nutrition facts.

• Preparation Time: 30 minutes
• Cooking Time: 40 minutes
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:

For the Stuffed Eggplants:

1- 6 small to medium-sized eggplants (preferably round or oval-shaped)

2- 2 tablespoons oil

3- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder

4- 1 teaspoon red chili powder

5- Salt to taste

For the Stuffing:

1- 1/2 cup roasted peanuts, coarsely ground

2- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, dry roasted

3- 1 tablespoon desiccated coconut

4- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds

5- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds

6- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds

7- 4-5 dried red chilies

8- 2 cloves of garlic, minced

9- 1-inch piece of ginger, grated

10- Salt to taste

For the Curry:

1- 2 tablespoons oil

2- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds

3- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds

4- 2 medium-sized onions, finely chopped

5- 2 tomatoes, finely chopped

6- 1 tablespoon tamarind pulp

7- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder

8- 1 teaspoon red chili powder

9- 1 teaspoon garam masala

10- Salt to taste

11- Fresh coriander leaves for garnishing

Step-by-Step Method:

Preparing the Eggplants:

1- Wash the eggplants thoroughly and pat them dry.

2- Make a cross-shaped incision in each eggplant, making sure not to cut them into halves.

3- In a small bowl, mix together oil, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt.

4- Apply this mixture evenly on the eggplants, ensuring they are well coated.

5- Set the eggplants aside and allow them to marinate for at least 15-20 minutes.

Preparing the Stuffing:

1- In a dry pan, roast the sesame seeds until they turn golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside.

2- In the same pan, dry roast the peanuts until they are lightly browned. Allow them to cool.

3- In a mortar and pestle or a grinder, coarsely grind the roasted peanuts and sesame seeds.

4- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan and add cumin seeds, fennel seeds, coriander seeds, dried red chilies, minced garlic, and grated ginger.

5- Sauté the mixture until the spices release their aroma and the garlic turns golden brown.

6- Add the coarsely ground peanut and sesame seed mixture to the pan.

7- Stir well and cook for another 2-3 minutes.

8- Remove from heat and let the stuffing cool down.

Stuffing the Eggplants:

1- Take a small amount of the stuffing mixture and stuff it into each eggplant through the incision.

2- Ensure that the stuffing is evenly distributed among all the eggplants.

3- Set the stuffed eggplants aside.

Cooking the Curry:

1- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a deep pan or a skillet.

2- Add mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Allow them to crackle.

3- Add the finely chopped onions and sauté until they turn translucent.

4- Add the finely chopped tomatoes and cook until they become soft and mushy.

5- Add tamarind pulp, turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala, and salt.

6- Stir well and let the spices cook for a minute or two.

7- Gently place the stuffed eggplants in the pan, ensuring they are well immersed in the gravy.

8- Cover the pan and let the curry simmer on low heat for about 25-30 minutes, or until the eggplants are tender and fully cooked.

9- Stir the curry occasionally to ensure even cooking and to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.

Garnishing and Serving:

1- Once the eggplants are cooked, remove the pan from heat.

2- Transfer the curry to a serving dish.

3- Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves.

4- Bagara Baingan is now ready to be served hot with steamed rice or your favorite flatbreads.

Notes:

1- You can adjust the spiciness of the curry by altering the quantity of red chili powder according to your preference.

2- Tamarind pulp adds a tangy flavor to the curry. You can adjust the amount based on your taste.

3- Make sure to choose small to medium-sized eggplants that are firm and fresh for the best results.

4- Bagara Baingan tastes even better when allowed to sit for a few hours before serving, as it allows the flavors to meld together.

Nutrition Facts (per serving, approximately):

• Calories: 240
• Total Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 520mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 24g
• Dietary Fiber: 8g
• Sugars: 10g
• Protein: 6g
• Vitamin D: 0mcg
• Calcium: 91mg
• Iron: 2mg
• Potassium: 668mg

Note: The nutrition facts may vary depending on the specific ingredients used and the serving size. It is always advisable to calculate the nutrition facts based on your exact ingredients and serving portions.

Here are the approximate nutrition facts for the main ingredients used in Bagara Baingan (Stuffed Eggplant Curry):

1. Eggplant (per 100g):

• Calories: 25
• Total Fat: 0.2g
• Saturated Fat: 0.1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 2mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 6g
• Dietary Fiber: 3g
• Sugars: 3.5g
• Protein: 1g
• Vitamin D: 0mcg
• Calcium: 9mg
• Iron: 0.2mg
• Potassium: 229mg

2. Peanuts (per 100g, roasted and unsalted):

• Calories: 567
• Total Fat: 49.2g
• Saturated Fat: 6.8g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 16.1g
• Dietary Fiber: 8.5g
• Sugars: 4.7g
• Protein: 25.8g
• Vitamin D: 0mcg
• Calcium: 92mg
• Iron: 2.2mg
• Potassium: 705mg

3. Sesame Seeds (per 100g):

• Calories: 573
• Total Fat: 49.7g
• Saturated Fat: 6.96g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 11mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 23.5g
• Dietary Fiber: 15g
• Sugars: 0.3g
• Protein: 17.7g
• Vitamin D: 0mcg
• Calcium: 975mg
• Iron: 14.6mg
• Potassium: 468mg

Please note that these nutrition facts are approximate and may vary depending on the specific brands and variations of the ingredients used. It's always a good idea to check the nutrition labels of the specific products you use for more accurate information.

Enjoy your flavorful and aromatic Bagara Baingan - a true culinary delight that brings the rich traditions of Indian cuisine to your table!