Baingan bharta was not a dish that got me jumping for joy as a kid. My mom would make it but I didn’t like the texture at all. I feel like I say this a lot on the blog, but my mom really is good at cooking! She’s a pro at Masoor Dal, Lobia, and of course the grilled cheese that’s named after her, Mom’s Grilled Cheese! But sometimes there were some dishes that were hits and misses, and this is one of them! I really resisted having Baingan Bharta at home!
But one time my aunt had a hand at making this dish. She didn’t make it at all like my mom, and I was head over heels for it! The smokiness of the eggplant truly shone for me! This version of Baingan Bharta is inspired by her style! So let’s ditch the misconception that eggplants are bland and boring and have some fun with this Punjabi dish!
What Is Punjabi Baingan Bharta?
All right, confession time! I didn’t know what baingan bharta translated to until today. I knew that “baingan” means eggplant, but I didn’t know what the “bharta” part of the dish’s name was. I recently posted my Mango Lassi recipe and I didn’t even know what a “lassi” really meant. I hope you all aren’t questioning that I’m actually Indian. Yes, I swear I am! I just got handed stuff and was like “okay, yum!”
For the big revelation, “bharta” means “mash.” So, baingan bharta translates to eggplant mash. We’ll first roast our eggplant, and then peel it and mash it up with our other veggies! You’ll see that this curry has a chunky gravy. It is quite comparable to baba ganoush, but with the Indian spices added, the taste is totally different!
For me the star here is that roasted eggplant. When you get a nice char on it, those incredible flavors will seep into the mash with your other veggies. Paired with the spices, you have wonderful flavors just dancing around in your mouth. The experience is just out of this world! I’ve had leftovers for breakfast, I just love it that much!
Why Make Punjabi Baingan Bharta?
Now I can’t get enough of baingan bharta! I definitely recommend you give this recipe a try! I believe it makes the perfect weeknight dinner that’s super satisfying. Here’s why you should get in the kitchen and get started making it:
- Healthy
- Low calorie
- Can be vegan if you substitute the ghee for another cooking oil
- Doesn’t dirty too many dishes
- DELICIOUS!
Tools Needed
Ingredients for Baingan Bharta
Let’s go over our ingredient list for baingan bharta. We’ll only be using a few spices for this recipe, as we want to focus on the eggplant and our veggies.
How to Make Indian Eggplant Curry
A Point or Two About the Right Stovetop
The ideal stovetop to get that beautiful char is the naked flame from a gas stovetop. However, in case you don’t have a gas line in your neighborhood or have another type of stovetop, you can still roast the eggplant without much issues!
I have an electric, smooth cooktop. On such a stovetop, the heat does not rely on a pot/pan being detected for the heat to turn on. Therefore, I can use a wire rack, over the cooktop and char the eggplant.
While you may do the same on an electric coil cooktop, these types of stoves are notorious for being a pain in the neck to clean. And you may get some juices dripping from the eggplant and I would like you to avoid any extra cleanup.
For any other cooktops, follow the instructions below to see how to roast the eggplant in your oven.
Roasting the Eggplant
On an electric smooth cooktop, place a wire rack over the largest burner and turn heat to high. Add eggplant over the wire rack and turn every few minutes until the eggplant is soft and lightly charred all around
On gas cooktop, add the eggplant directly over the flame and turn every few minutes until the eggplant is soft and lightly charred all around.
For any other cooktop, use the broiler in your oven to roast the eggplant. Move the oven rack to the second highest position and place a wire rack over a baking sheet lined with foil. Cook the eggplant as directed above.
Let eggplant rest on a plate/cutting board once done cooking.
Making the Baingan Bharta
- Place a wok/pan on medium heat and add the ghee once hot. Add cumin seeds and hing and cook until aromatic.
- Add ginger, garlic and green chiles and cook until lightly roasted and aromatic.
- Add onions, a pinch of salt and cook until onions become soft.
- Add the tomatoes, mix well and add ground coriander, turmeric, deggi mirch and a pinch of salt.
- While the tomatoes cook down, slice the eggplant in half and use a spoon to scoop out the flesh of the eggplant.
- Once tomatoes are soft, add in the eggplant and mix well. Cook for 5-10 minutes or until eggplant comes well together with the tomato masala.
- Finish with garam masala and cilantro, adjust for seasoning and serve right away!
Tips & Tricks for the Best Baingan Bharta
- The star of this dish should be the eggplant, so be conservative with the amount of spice used in this dish to really appreciate the flavor of the roasted eggplant.
- Make sure to season the dish with salt at every stage to really unlock the flavors of each ingredient.
- The roasted skin of the eggplant is packed full of flavor. For additional smokiness in the bharta, feel free to chop bits of the skin and add with the eggplant. It is delicious!
Serving Suggestions for Baingan Bharta
Enjoy smoky baingan bharta with bread or rice! Here are some breads you can serve baingan bharta with.
I’ve always had my baingan bharta with roti or paratha, but if you’re feeling lavish, then by all means try tandoori naan or laccha paratha! In the video, I purchased some naan from the grocery store and it was truly satisfying!
You could also serve with some simply steamed Basmati Rice or some Jeera Rice. For a fully hearty meal, you could also cook up some Masaledar Chana Dal and some Crispy Aloo Bhujia for some extra body.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is baingan bharta?▼
Baingan bharta is a smoky North Indian dish of fire-roasted eggplant mashed into a spiced onion-tomato masala. That charred, smoky flavor from roasting the whole eggplant is what makes it special.
How do you roast the eggplant for baingan bharta?▼
Roast the whole eggplant directly over a gas flame (turning every few minutes until soft and charred), on a wire rack over an electric burner, or under your oven’s broiler — all three work. Then scoop out the soft flesh.
Can I make baingan bharta without a gas stove?▼
Yes — use your oven’s broiler on a high rack to roast and char the eggplant until it’s soft inside, then carry on as usual. You’ll still get that lovely smoky flavor.
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