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Begun Bhaja

Kankana Saxena
Begun Bhaja is a classic Bengali style fried eggplant. It is one of the most favorite and common dish prepared with eggplant. Begun Bhaja is served in several different ways. It pairs great with Khichuri (rice and lentil porridge), we love it with Luchi (fried bread) but my absolutely favorite is to enjoy it with rice, ghee and few green chilies on the side.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Additional Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Bengali Cuisine
Cuisine Bengali
Servings 10 slices

Ingredients
 

  • Eggplant
  • 1 and ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon sugar
  • ¼ cup all purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoon semolina
  • 2 tablespoon rice flour
  • ½ teapsoon nigella seeds
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder

Instructions
 

  • Slice the eggpant into ⅕ cm thick. Then score it lightly on both the sides.
  • Layer the sliced eggplant on a colander and sprinkle ½ teaspoon salt and sugar. Then leave it aside for 30 minutes.
  • When you are ready to fry the eggplants, prepare the batter. In a bowl add the all purpose flour, semolina, rice flour, nigella seeds rest of the ½ teaspoon salt and turmeric. Whisk and then pour water little by little to make a batter thick enough to quote the eggplant slices.
  • In a work or skilet pour enough water to deep fry the eggplant. Heat the oil to medium.
  • Then dip the eggplant slice in the batter and shake off the excess batter and carefully slice it on the hot oil.
  • Fry for 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until it looks golden brown.
  • Take it off the hot oil and layer it on a cookie wire sheet.
  • Enjoy it warm.

Notes

Key Prep Step : 

Layer the sliced eggplant on a colander and sprinkle it with little salt and sugar. The sugar and sugar will soften the texture of the eggplant as it will release the moisture. It will also season the eggplant. Place the colander on a plate.
Leave it aside for 30 minutes and you will notice a lot of water got collected on the plate.

Reheating the Begun Bhaja :

For the skillet fried eggplant, you can either microwave or warm it on the skillet again using little oil.
As for the battered deep-fried eggplant, the best way is to reheat it in the oven. Place the fried eggplant on a cookie wire rack and bake at 350 F for 7 to 8 minutes. Reheating in microwave will make it soggy.