Brinjal Curry: Tamil Style Recipe

Brinjal curry is an authentic Tamil recipe that is usually served with biryani. This Indian curry recipe is a spicy blend of brinjal, coconut and urad dal. This particular brinjal curry is usually served with the special Tamil recipe, Ambur biryani. Sometimes this curry is also referred to as a chutney, But actually it is a curry that can also be served as a side dish with rice.

This is a proper South-Indian curry recipe with lots of mustard seeds and curry leaves that add flavour. There are two ways to make this Brinjal curry. In the original Tamil recipe, the brinjal is totally blended into a thick gravy. The other way to prepare this Indian curry is by keeping the the roasted brinjals whole.

Serves: 4
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

• Brinjal- 400 grams (cut into pieces)
• Onions- 3
• Tomatoes- 2
• Garlic pods- 4
• Mustard seeds- 1tsp
• Cumin seeds- 1tsp
• Fennel seeds- 1tsp
• Fenugreek seeds- 1/2 tsp
• Dry red chillies- 4
• Urad dal- 1tbsp
• Curry leaves- 10
• Tamarind juice- 1 cup
• Turmeric powder- 1 pinch
• Oil- 2tbsp
• Salt- as per taste

Procedure

1. Heat oil in a deep bottomed pan. Fry the brinjal pieces in it for 10 minutes on a low flame.
2. Strain the brinjal and use a spoon to mash the fried pieces.
3. Now add fennel, cumin, fenugreek seeds and dry red chillies to the left over oil in the pan.
4. After 30 seconds, add onions to the pan. Saute for around 4-5 minutes on a low flame.
5. Add garlic pods and urad dal; saute for another 2 minutes.
6. Now put the pan off flame and allow the spices to cool. After it comes to room temperature, grind it into a paste.
7. Meanwhile add 1tsp oil into the pan. Season it with curry leaves and mustard seeds.
8. After 30 seconds add tomatoes to the pan and sprinkle salt. When the tomato turns soft, add the tamarind juice and fried brinjal pieces. Mix it up.
9. Now pour the grounded paste to the pan and mix it up well. Add 2 cup of water; cover and cook for 10 minutes on a low flame.

When your brinjal curry is ready, you can serve it with Ambur biryani.