Begun Bhaja (Brinjal fry ) - healthy style

In continuation of my last post of bhoger khichuri today I present a simple Bengali fry recipe of Begun bhaja. Begun bhaja means (shallow) fried eggplants (aubergine) or brinjal.Bengalis serve this as an accompaniment for rice, Khichdi,rotis or just as a snack. We make varieties of bhaja with potato, bitter gourd etc & there should be at least one bhaja in Bengali lunch menu for sure. 

Preparation Time: - 20 mins

Cooking Time: - 20 min

Servings: - 3~4 persons

Ingredients:- 

1. Medium sized Begun/Brinjal/Aubergine/eggplant - 1 no. Please try to select one with less seeds and more flesh. I know it is difficult to determine whether the seeds are there inside when buying but I use a thumb rule that lightweight means less seeds.
2. Turmeric Powder - ½ tsp
3. Red chilli powder - 1 tsp (optional)
4. Salt - as needed
5. Garam Masala – pinch if want it more spicy
6. Sugar - a pinch
7. Cooking oil - 3-4 tbsp. I used mustard oil but you can use any white oil

Preparation:-

1. Wash and slice the medium sized brinjal/eggplant into few ciccular 3/4 inch thick slices. Thinner slices means less time to cook and also less oil.
   
   
2. We all want healthy food today but cannot restrain us from fried food. Hence it is required to keep the oil content down as much as possible without compromising on taste. For that soak the brinjal pieces inside salt water for 10~15 min. This will require less oil for frying.
   
   
3. Mix turmeric powder,salt,red chilli powder, garam masala (I do not use it but spice lovers can use it) and sugar and keep aside. Remove brinjal pieces from water and mix with this. Please make sure the mix coats the brinjal well. Marinate for 10 minutes.
   
   
4. Heat oil in a pan (non stick for less oil) in medium flame. Fry 4~5 brinjal pieces at a time for 10 minutes in low flame. Flip it occasionally. Add more oil if necessary. Fry till all of them turns golden brown.
   
   
5. Drain the brinjal in a tissue paper to remove the oil.

Now enjoy it hot with rice, khichdi or roti.

As always I am all ears and eyes for any comment,suggestions and queries - good or bad .