VAANGIBHATH (Eggplant Masala Rice)

Ingredients :

Basmathi rice - 1 cup

Brinjal purple - 5 to 6 cut lengthwise (here is a tip put it in the water by adding 3 tbsp milk brinjal will be so fresh and does not turn brown)

Onion - 1 sliced

Green chilli - 2 slited

Red chilli powder - little

Turmeric - 1 tsp

Curry leaves - few

Tamarind extract - 1 tbsp ( Alternatively you can use lemon as well)

For seasoning :

Cumin seeds - 2 tsp

Channa dhal - 2 tsp

Peanuts - few

Oil and salt

Ghee - 1 tbsp

Coriander for garnish

For making vaangibhath powder : (This amount can be used for making approximately 3 to 2 times )

Dry coconut(kobari) - 3 tbsp

Channa dhal - 2 tbsp

Coriander seeds - 2 tbsp

Urad dhal - 2 tbsp

Cumin seeds - 2 tsp

Cloves - 3

Cardamom - 1

Cinnamon stick - 1 inch piece

Nutmeg - 1/2 tsp

Asafoetida - 1 tsp

Red chilies - 3

Fenugreek seeds - 1/2 tsp

This picture is not exact measurement just to show what all required for blending.

Dry roast all the above ingredients and make to fine powder. Cool and store it in the bottle.

Method :

1. Cook basmathi rice fluffy. Cool it and keep it aside.

2. Wash the soaked brinjal and drain it.

3. Heat oil in the frying pan add the cumin, channa dhal and peanuts.

4. Add the sliced onion, curry leaves and slited green chilli.

5. Saute till light brown and then add the brinjal saute until they are well cooked and slightly roasted by closing the lid once in a while.

6. Add the turmeric, red chilli powder and tamarind extract saute for couple of minutes.

7. Now add the cooked basmathi rice and powder according to required taste.( if you are using lemon you can add the juice at this stage)

8.Add salt and mix well once they are blended well garnish with coriander leaves.

9. Serve hot with raita and pappad.

Note:

1. Brinjal can be substituted by capsicum, mixed vegetables(add lemon juice instead of tamarind for this), Only carrots, Potatoes and even with dondakaya(This has to fried very well).

2. If you do not have dry coconut when of thinking to prepare just put the grated coconut in the frying pan and put the flame very low it gets dried and roasted slightly that can be used.