Baingan bharta

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Baigan bharta
spices (incl. coriander, cumin, garam masala)

Baigan bharta, also spelled baingan bharta or baigan chokha[1] (mashed eggplant)[a] is an Indian dish prepared by mashing or mincing grilled eggplant (baigan) with tomato, onion, herbs and spices, with variations being common from chef to chef.[b] Traditionally, cooking the eggplants over charcoals, inside of a tandoor, barbecue grill or oven, or even directly applying flame to the outside of the fruit infuses the dish with a smoky flavour; the blackened skin is then easily peeled and the eggplant may be further prepared.

Baigan bharta is most often grilled, minced eggplant stewed with chopped tomato, browned onion or shallots,

litti or baati.[4]

In

Trinidad & Tobago, where it is known as baigan chokha.[5]

Names

The dish has several regional names, such as: baigan ka bharta (

Sylheti: ꠛꠣꠁꠋꠉꠂꠘ ꠌꠣꠐꠘꠤ) and olo (Gujarati
).

Preparation

The beauty of Baigan Bharta lies in its versatility. While the core ingredients remain the same, regional variations and personal preferences lead to diverse flavor profiles. Some common variations include:

Classic Baigan Bharta: This classic rendition features a vibrant spice blend of

red chili powder, and cumin
.

Dahi Baigan Bharta: This version incorporates

cilantro and Mint
leaves.

Spicy Baigan Bharta: For those who love heat, additional chilies or spices like garam masala and fenugreek seeds can be added.

Variants

In

khichadi and chhaash (Gujarati
: છાશ) (buttermilk).

In

Tamils prepare a similar dish called kathrikai thayir kothsu, in which the eggplant is cooked, mashed, and sautéed with mustard, red chilis and sesame oil
. The final step in the recipe involves adding yogurt (curds) to the mixture and dressing the dish with coriander leaves.

In the Bhojpuri-speaking regions of India (such as eastern Uttar Pradesh and western Bihar), it is known as baigan ka chokha;[6] it is also popular within the Indo-Caribbean communities of Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, and Guyana, where many descendants of indentured labourers from northern India live.

In Maharashtra, especially in the northern Khandesh region, vangyache bharit as they call it is served in social gatherings including wedding ceremonies. During harvest season, a special "bharit party" is organised. Bharit is usually served with puri. In the Vidarbha and Khandesh regions of Maharashtra, two variants are popular: kachha ("raw") bharit and phodni cha (with tadka) bharit. In kachha bharit, all the ingredients except for eggplant are used uncooked. Raw spring onion, tomato, green chillies, green coriander, and sometimes fresh fenugreek leaves are mixed with flame-roasted eggplant along with raw linseed oil or peanut oil. In phodni cha bharit, the above ingredients are first fried in oil with spices; then, mashed eggplants are mixed into it and cooked together. A similar process is followed in other Indian states and Pakistan with slight variations in ingredients. In Vidarbha and Khandesh, it is considered a delicacy when the eggplants are roasted on dried cotton plant stems, a process which gives a distinct smokey flavour to the dish. The dish is served with dal, bhakri, and rice.

  • Baigan bharta with roti and lentils
    Baigan bharta with roti and lentils
  • Litti chokha, litti with baigan bharta, a North Indian dish
    Litti chokha,
    litti
    with baigan bharta, a North Indian dish
  • Baigan bharta made in Nagpur, Maharashtra
    Baigan bharta made in Nagpur, Maharashtra
  • Akki rotti with eṇṇegāyi, a Karnataka dish
    Karnataka
    dish

Protest symbol

In a protest against

Bt brinjal and the introduction of genetically modified crops, volunteers from Greenpeace and Delhi's Le Méridien hotel cooked 342 kilograms (754 lb) of organic brinjal bharta at Dilli Haat, New Delhi, on 6 September 2011. This set a world record for the largest amount of the dish produced in one occasion of preparation. A portion of the final dish was sent to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's residence, accompanied by a letter of protest containing an explanation.[7][8]

Notes

  1. ^ Or else: Baigan ka Shahi Bharta or Baigan da Bhartha
  2. ^ Bharta means "mash".[2]

See also

References

  1. ISBN 978-93-5048-390-9
    .
  2. ^ Richa Hingle (2022). Vegan Richa's Instant Pot Cookbook: 150 Plant-based Recipes from Indian Cuisine and Beyond. Hachette.
  3. ISBN 978-0-375-71211-1
    .
  4. ISBN 978-1-64850-162-3
    .
  5. ISBN 978-1-83869-004-5
    .
  6. ISBN 978-93-5048-390-9
    .
  7. ^ "Protesters say no to BT Brinjal in a unique way". Hindustan Times. 6 September 2011. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013.
  8. ^ "Giant Baigan ka Bharta makes for a delicious record". The Times of India. 7 September 2011. Archived from the original on 7 November 2011.

External links

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