Brinjal Gojju

Brinjal Gojju / bartha is a side dish done with Brinjal/Egg plant. The big brinjal really adds taste to this curry.

It is a quick, easy, yummy and simple dish that you can prepare when you are in a hurry.
Brinjal Gojju goes well with almost all the main dishes.
Let us see the recipe now :
No Onion OR No Garlic is used in Brinjal Gojju.

Ingredients :

To cook :

Brinjal  : 1
Green chilly : 2
Tomatoes: 2 ( Small )
Capsicum : 1
Carrot : 1
Ginger : An inch
To Season :
Coconut Oil : 2 Tablespoons
Mustard Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Jeera / Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh /Asafoetida : A pinch
Curry Leaves : 6 to 8 leaves
To Add :
Turmeric powder : A pinch
Sambar /Rasam Powder : 1 Tablespoon
Salt : As required
Jaggery : 1 Teaspoon
Coriander leaves : 1 Tablespoon

Method :

1. Wash and cut brinjal and soak the pieces in a big bowl at least for 10 minues.
2. Wash and cut tomatoes, carrot and slit green chilly.
3. Wash and cut capsicum and keep it aside.

4. Wash ginger, peel of the skin and wash it again. Grate it and keep it aside.
5. Keep a pan on the fire and put oil. Add mustard seeds, jeera and let mustard splutter.
6. Add ingh, curry leaves and fry for a second.

7. Add cut carrot pieces, capsicum, and tomatoes. Add grated ginger and green chilly.

8. Fry nicely for s minute. Remove brinjal from water and wash it again. Add these brinjal pieces with carrots.
9. Fry for a minute and add salt, turmeric powder, rasam powder and salt.
10. Mix all the vegetables nicely and put 1/2 cup of water and cook for 4 to 5 minutes. ( I used pressure cooker to cook ). Allow it to cool.
11. Keep the cooked gojju on the fire. Add jaggery and mix it well. Add coriander leaves.

12. Shift the ready Brinjal Gojju to a serving dish and serve with the main dish you have prepared. We had it with plain red rice.

Note :

Soaking brinjal pieces in water helps to remove the bitterness in brinjal. Use of any brand of
 rasam /sambar powder is optional. I have used MTR. rasam powder.
Use of any cooking oil is optional. You can use tamarind pulp instead of tomatoes.
Discarding tomato seeds is optional. Use of pressure cooker is optional. You can cook in a pan instead of pressure cooker. Use of onions and garlic is optional.
Time : 20 Minutes.
Serves : 3 to 5.
Brinjal Bajji/Fried fritter with Brinjal Gojju.
 Mix channa flour with little water, jeera, chilly powder and salt. Let the batter be idly consistency.
Wash and cut brinjal in to circle shape and wash it again. Squeeze out the water and dip brinjal pieces in channa batter. Keep a cup of oil on the fire and heat. Fry channa flour dipped brinjal one by one in hot oil. Remove from the oil and put it on the kitchen tissue.
Serve as one of the side dish.

Mattina Gulla - Avarekai Curry

Udupi Special Brinjal known as " Mattina Gulla " has its own special flavour and whatever you prepare turns out to be superb taste. This is a special variety of brinjal/ eggplant as said earlier.

There is a story behind the special nature of this Mattina Gulla and will surely write it.

I have prepared Gulla Huli/ bolu Huli or a type of curry using some special spices, which always stay in kitchen cupboard.

I have used Famous Avarekai/field beans and Mattina gulla combined together with some special spice powder which is very fresh, home prepared spice powder. 

Let us  know the story of Mattina Gulla.  
Mattina Gulla got patent these days.

Mattu/Matti is a place near Udupi/ Katpadi, in South Canara. It is about 6 to 8 Km from Udupi. The people over there, were very poor and struggling to lead a peaceful life. Once Shree Vadhiraja Swami of Sode Mutt came to visit this place, he saw the peoples' struggle and gave a handful of this Gulla /Brinjal /Eggplant seeds. He said from this seeds peoples' struggle will be reduced. As they grow the brinjal plant and it yield special variety of brinjals. So brinjals turned as famous and peoples' struggle reduced. It is all Swami Shree Krishna's daye/kindness and through the guru he could take care of His devotees and help them to lead peaceful life. Even now the first yield is given it to Lord Shree Krisha Mutt in Udupi. 

One has to eat and relish the taste of this special Mattu Gulla and then he will be able to know that what we say is 100 % true about the taste of this kind of brinjal.

No Onion or Garlic is used in this recipe. Try and enjoy this curry. It suits to all type of dishes.

Let us see the recipe Now :

Ingredients :

To Cook :

Mattu Gulla : 2 

Avarekai : 1 Cup. 250 to 300 grams. 

Methi seeds /Fenugrik seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon

To Add :

Spice Powder : 2 Tablespoons

Tamarind Pulp : 1 Tablespoons

Jaggery : 1 teaspoon

Salt : As required 

Coriander leaves : 2 to 3 Tablespoons

Coconut : 2  to 3 Tablespoons

Ginger : An inch 

Seasoning :

Cooking Oil : 1 Tablespoon

Mustard seeds : 1 Teaspoon

Jeera/Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon

Ingh /Asafoetida : A pinch

Curry Leaves : 6 to 8 Leaves.

Method :

1. Remove the avarekai / Field beans and  wash it.  Pressure cook for 6 to 8 minutes and leave it for cooling.

2. Cut brinjals and put the pieces in a bowl of water for 5 Minutes.

3. Grate coconut, wash and cut curry leaves and coriander leaves. Soak tamarind in hot water for 5 minutes and squeeze out the pulp. Keep the pulp aside.

4. Wash and clean ginger and remove its outer layer. Wash it again and grate it.

5. Keep cooked averekai pan on the fie. Add cut brinjal and let it cook for 3 to 4 minutes./Till it gets soft. ( Do not over cook ). Add grated ginger.

6. Add little turmeric powder, tamarind pulp and required salt. Mix it well and cook for 2 minutes.

7. Add spice powder and mix it well and cook for another 2 minutes.

8. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add a tablespoon of oil, mustard seeds and jeera. Let it fry nicely.

9.  Add a pinch of asafoetida and curry leaves. Add this seasoning to the curry. 

10. Add a teaspoon of jaggery.

11. Mix it well and cook for another 2 minutes.

12. Put off the fire and Shift the curry to a serving dish.

13. Add cut coriander leaves and grated fresh coconut. (One Tablespoon).

14. Mix it well and Shift the ready curry to a serving dish. Top up with coriander gratings. ( Optional)

15. Serve with the main dish of your choice. Yummy curry taste best on almost all the dishes.

Note :

Do not over cook brinjals. Adding capsicum taste better. Adding garlic or onion is optional. Adding coconut grating is optional. Adding more jaggery is optional. Use of coconut oil is optional. 

Time : 30 Minutes.

Serves : 3 to 4.

How to make : Home Made Spice Powder :

Dry roast 1/4 teaspoon of methi, 1/2 teaspoon of urid dal, 2 tablespoons of coriander seeds, 4 to 5 byadagi chilly, 1/2 teaspoon of jeera/cumin seeds, 5 to 6 curry leaves and a pinch of ingh. Add a small piece of cinnamon to it. (1/2 inch). Do not fry cinnamon and 1Tbs  coconut, just add it after you shift the dry roast spices to a bowl. Let it get cool. Dry grind and turn it as powder. 

Note : Dry roast the spices one by one on low flame. 

Spicy Brinjal Sasive.

Whenever  we travel to Udupi I make sure to buy some Mattu Gulla (Special type of brnjal of from a place called Mattu near Udupi). Mattu gulla taste different, tasty and soft. It does not take much time to cook either.

Sasive /Sasme..is a Kannada word, Sasive is  one of the side dish,
There are varieties of Sasive preparations one can do easily.  Preparing sasive is easy. We can cook vegetables and mix with mustard coconut mixture or you can cook vegetables and then add the ground spice (containing mustard seeds, coconut and little chilly).

Here is a recipe of " Brinjal Sasive ".  It is  done in just mixing the coconut - mustard seeds ground mixture to cooked brinjal.
This is one of the traditional dish of South Canara. My doddamma used to prepare this Brinjal Sasive very nicely. She used to cook brinjal on charcoal. Those days there were no gas stoves or gas supply to house. People had to cook with the help of wood which they get in their surroundings. We had lots of coconut , jack fruit trees, mango trees around our house. Doddamma used to use the dry sticks from the trees and coconut shells and other  things. It is a nice memory that I have.
 I have mentioned the speciality of this brinjal in my earlier post. Mattu Gulla is very famous and especially its grown in particular place called Mattu. The seeds of this Gulla is given to people by Yati. Vadhirajaru.
Any type of brinjal can be used. (Optional).
Sasive is one of the traditional dish of South Canara, Malenadu and Coastal areas.
Let us see the recipe Now :

Things Needed :

Brinjal/Badanekai/Gulla : 1 (Big one).
Green chilly : 2
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Coconut : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Salt : As required
Coriander leaves
Curd /Yogurt : 1 Cup
For Seasoning :
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Coconut Oil : 1 Teaspoon
Ingh/ Asafoetida : A little

Method :

1. Wash and cut brinjal and soak in water for 5 to 10 minutes.

2. Remove from the water wash it again and cook with little water till it is soft.
3. Grate coconut and grind it with mustard seeds, green chilly.

4. Remove the ground paste and put it in a big bowl.
5. Now put cooked brinjal in a big bowl and smash it nicely.

6. Put  ground coconut mixture, required salt and mix it well.
7. Add a cup of thick curd and mix it. Shift the ready Brinjal Sasive to a serving dish.
8. Keep a small pan on the fire and heat. Add a teaspoon of coconut oil. Add mustard seeds and urid dal.

9. Let mustard seeds splutter. Add ingh and curry leaves. Put off the fire. Put this seasoning to Sasive.
 10. Add cut coriander leaves and serve ready sasive with rice/chapati etc.
Note :
Brinjal should be cooked well. You can cook brinjal on gas burner  (Optional). Adding more /less chilly is optional. Use of coconut oil is optional. You can also prepare varieties of Sasive using different vegetables.
Time : 15 Minutes
Serves : 2 to 3.

Brinjal - Palak Dry Palya

Brinjal - Palak dry Palya is a side dish. Dry curries are always adds to the main dishes. I have tried here Brinjal - Palak Palya /Dry curry. It is yummy and easy to prepare.

I have used palak leaves, brinjal, coconut, coriander seeds and green chilly. Little lemon juice/extract is added. I have prepared using coconut oil and coconut oil is one of the healthy oil that we are sure about.
Let us see some benefits of brinjal/egg plant in our diet.
Brinjal helps the bones to be strong and prevent osteoporosis. It reduces anemia and improves heart health. It also protect heart health. It helps to manage diabetes by controlling blood sugar level. Brinjals are rich source of vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B6. magnesium, phosphorous, copper, dietary fiber, folic acid, potassium and manganese. They do not contain cholesterol or saturated fat.
Remember : Do not fry brinjal and it not that good for our body. Some may cause allergic to some. 
Let us see the recipe :

Things Needed : 

To cook :
Brinjal : 4 to 5 (Small and round ones).
Palak leaves : 1 Bundle ( small one )
To add :
Coconut : 1/2 Cup/ 2 to 3 tablespoons
Coriander seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Red chilly : 1
Green chilly : 2
Lemon juice : 1 Tablespoon
Salt : As required
Cut coriander leaves : 2 Tablespoons
To Season :
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Jeera/Cumin seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh/Asafoetida : A pinch
Coconut oil : 1 Tablespoon

Method :

1. Wash and cut brinjals and put it in a big bowl of water for at least 10 minutes.
2. Wash and cut palak leaves into thin and keep it aside.

3. Wash and cut coriander leaves and keep it aside.
4.Grate coconut and dry grind it with green chilly and coriander seeds. Remove it from the jar.

5. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add oil and mustard seeds.
6. Let mustard seeds splutter. Add jeera and ingh. Add curry leaves. Add cut brinjals.
7. Mix it nicely and add cut palak leaves. Fry slowly for a minute.

8.Add 1/2 glass of water. Add turmeric powder and mix it well.
9. Let brinjal turn soft. Add salt and mix it well. Let all the moisture disappear.
10. Add ground coconut - coriander seeds mixture and mix it slowly.

11. Cook on low flame for 2 minutes. Mix it in between. Put off the fire and add lemon extract.
12. Mix it nicely and shift it to a serving bowl. Add cut coriander leaves and serve with main dish.

Note : 

Use of tender brinjal is a must. Adding tamarind pulp (1 tablespoon) instead of lemon extract is optional. Use of jaggery is optional. ( I did not use). Use of coconut oil is optional. ( Any cooking oil will do). Adding more chilly is optional. Adding onions or garlic is optional.
Time : 15 Minutes
Serves : 2 to 3 .

Spicy Stuffed Brinjal

Brinjal/Egg plant/Badanekai/Kattarikai is one of the most wonderful vegetable. We can prepare the spicy dishes using this vegetable. I Have tried Stuffed Brinjal and added two to three potatoes with fresh roasted spices.

 It is one of the favourite vegetable for many and many don't like it too. They must have this Spicy Stuffed Brinjal and they will never say No Brinjal  again in their life. ☺☺. Try and Enjoy " Spicy Stuffed Brinjal" and it is one of the side dish goes well with all most all the dishes.

Let us see some benefits of eating " Brinjal" in our diet.

Brinjal/Egg plant has many health benefits. It has the ability to help strong bones and reduce the symptoms of anemia. It protect the digestive system and helps to lose weight. It also helps to manage diabetes and reduce the stress. Brinjal is rich source of vitamin C, Vitamin K, vitamin B6 and minerals like magnesium, phosphorous, copper, dietary fiber, folic acid, potassium and manganese. It has very low amount of cholesterol and no saturated fat.
Remember that some might get allergy to brinjal and it start itching even while cutting brinjal. 

I have used onions, freshly roasted spices and coconut. 

Let us see the recipe now : I have used round green brinjals. This is one of the classic dish.
The procedure might look long but the taste is yummy and excellent. Give a try and Enjoy....

Things Needed : 

To cook 

Small Brinjals : 5 to 6
Potatoes : 2 to 3 ( Small size)

Onion : 1 (Big size )

Spices to Roast/fry :

Methi seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon

Channa dal : 1 Teaspoon

Urid dal : 1 Teaspoon

Coriander Seeds : 1 Tablespoon

Jeera : 1/2 Teaspoon

Red chilly (Byadagi) : 5 to 6 or little more

Cloves /Lavang : 4 to 5

Cinnamon : Small pieces 2 to 3 

Ingh/Asafoetida : A little 

Sesame seeds : 1 Tablespoon

Pepper Pods : 2 to 3

To grate : 

Grated Mango : 2 to 3 Tablespoons

Grated Coconut /Copra : 2 Tablespoons
To add :
Ground masala 

Salt : As required
Coriander leaves.

To Season : 

Cooking Oil : 2 Tablespoons
Mustard seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Curry Leaves : 5 to 6
Ingh / Asafoetida : A little

Method : 

1. Wash and cut brinjal . (Avoid making complete pieces). Soak in water. Grate mango and keep it aside.
Wash and remove the outer layer of potatoes and wash it again. Just poke in between and make scars on the potatoes.

2. Remove the outer layer of onion and cut into pieces. (According to your wish. Small/big).

3. Keep a pan on the fire add 1/2 Teaspoon of oil. Fry methi seeds till they turn slightly brown.

4. Add cloves, cinnamon, channa dal and urid dal. Roast them till they turn golden brown.
5. Add sesame seeds and fry till they pop up.

6.. Add coriander seeds and red chilly. Fry for a minute. Add jeera and fry.

7. Add curry leaves and ingh. Put off the fire. 

8. Grate coconut and add it to the fried ingredients. Mix it well.
9. Grind coconut and fried ingredients with required water, (First dry grind the ingredients, then add water and grind).

10. Remove from the mixi jar and keep it aside.
11. Add little salt to ground mixture.
12. Mix ground mixture with grated mango nicely.

13. Now remove the brinjals from water.
14 Fill in each brinjal with the ground mixture and keep them on a plate/tray.

15. Keep a pan and add 2 tablespoon of oil. Add mustard seeds and little urid dal.
16. Let mustard seeds splutter. Add curry leaves and ingh.  Add onions and fry for a minute.

17. Arrange stuffed brinjals one by one in the pan. Put the potatoes.

18. Add the remaining ground mixture. Add required salt, turmeric powder.
19. Add 1/2 Cup of water and cover the pan. (I used pressure cooker). (2 to 3 whistles).
20. Just see that brinjal cooks till soft. Turn the other side slowly after few minutes and cook them till soft. ( I have used a small pressure cooker). If you are using cooker just 2 to 3 whistles will be ok.

21. Shift them to a serving dish and add washed and cut coriander leaves.

22. Serve with the main dish you have prepared.

Note :
Do not cut the brinjal fully. Just leave the edge and it is easy to fill the stuffing nicely.
You can dry roast the spices or fry with very little oil. Adding more spices is your choice.
Adding more/less oil is optional. Dry roast the ingredients one by one to get the exact roast.
Adding mango adds to the taste. Adding mango instead of tamarind or lemon is optional.
Adding a little jaggery help the dish to reduce the gas in the dish. I have added some potatoes which turns yummy along with spices.
Adding potatoes is optional. You can try this brinjal stuffed with ready " Vanghibaat powder" or  " Birsibele baat powder", instead of fresh roasted spices.
Use of pressure cooker helps to cook Stuffed brinjals easily. (Optional). You can cook on the big pan too. Adding onions and garlic to the dish is optional. ( I have not added garlic).
Time : 30 Minutes.
Serves : 3 to 4.