Bharwan Baingan Recipe | Easy Stuffed Brinjal Masala

Bharwan Baingan is a delicious way to turn simple brinjals into a flavorful Indian side dish. The combination of roasted peanuts, coconut, aromatic spices and tangy tomato puree gives the stuffed brinjals a wonderful balance of spicy, nutty and savory flavors. Serve it hot with roti, chapati, dal-rice or steamed rice for a comforting homemade meal. If you love traditional Indian vegetable recipes, this stuffed brinjal masala is definitely worth trying!

Ingredients

For the Bharwan Baingan

• 7–8 small purple brinjals (baingan/eggplant)

For the Stuffing

• 1 tsp roasted and crushed peanuts

• 2 tsp grated fresh coconut

• ¼ cup finely chopped onions

• ¼ tsp white sesame seeds (optional)

• 1 tsp garam masala

• 1 tsp roasted cumin seeds (jeera)

• ½ tsp coriander seeds (dhaniya)

• ½ tsp crushed black pepper

• ½ tsp red chilli powder

• ½ tsp salt, or to taste

For Tempering

• 3 tsp oil

• ½ tsp mustard seeds (rai)

• ½ tsp cumin seeds (jeera)

• 3–4 curry leaves, finely chopped

For the Gravy

• 4 tsp tomato puree

• ½ tsp salt, or to taste

• ½ tsp garam masala

• 3 tsp finely chopped fresh coriander leaves, for garnish

Method

Prepare the Stuffing

1. Add the roasted peanuts, grated coconut, chopped onions, sesame seeds, garam masala, roasted cumin seeds, coriander seeds, crushed pepper, red chilli powder and salt to a blender.

2. Blend or pulse until you get a coarse, flavorful stuffing mixture. Do not make it into a smooth paste. Keep the stuffing aside.

Prepare the Brinjals

3. Wash the brinjals thoroughly and pat them dry.

4. Keeping the stem intact, make two deep slits across each brinjal—one horizontal and one vertical. Be careful not to cut all the way through, so the brinjal remains whole.

5. Gently open the slits and stuff each brinjal generously with the prepared masala.

6. Arrange all the stuffed brinjals on a plate and keep them ready for cooking.

Cook the Bharwan Baingan

7. Heat oil in a kadai over medium heat.

8. Add mustard seeds and allow them to splutter. Add cumin seeds and curry leaves and sauté for a few seconds until aromatic.

9. Carefully place the stuffed brinjals into the kadai.

10. Cover and cook over medium-low heat, turning the brinjals gently from time to time so they cook evenly without breaking.

11. Once the brinjals are about halfway cooked, add the tomato puree.

12. Add salt and garam masala, then gently mix the gravy around the brinjals.

13. Cover and continue cooking until the brinjals become completely tender and the masala is well cooked and coats the brinjals beautifully.

14. Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves.

Serving Suggestion

Serve this delicious Bharwan Baingan (Stuffed Brinjal) hot with roti, chapati, dal-rice or steamed rice. The nutty, spicy stuffing and rich tomato masala make it a wonderfully comforting Indian vegetarian side dish.