Eggplant is used in preparing wide variety of Indian dishes. We too love this vegetable in our cooking. Varieties of side dishes and stir fries can be made using this vegetable. Today, I am sharing a unique Stir fry (Palya) recipe from my native place.
As per my observation, most of the eggplant recipes tastes good only when onion or garlic is added. But this Stir fry tastes delicious without adding garlic and onion. Try this simple yet delicious Stir Fry and let me know your feedback!
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Soaking time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4
Difficulty level: Medium
Ingredients:
Method:
Tips:
- Eggplant (Finely chopped) - 1 large
- Oil - 5 to 6 tbsp
- Dry red chilli (optional) - 1 small piece
- Urid dal - 1 tsp
- Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
- Asafoetida / Hing - big pinch
- Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
- Green chillies - 2 (add according to spiciness needed)
- Curry leaves - 1 strand
- Salt to taste
- Amchur powder - 1 1/2 tsp or to taste
- Grated coconut - 4 tbsp
Method:
- Take the finely chopped eggplant in a bowl. Add 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp amchur powder. Mix it well and leave it for 15 minutes.
- Squeeze off the water content from the eggplant mixture and discard the water.
- Heat oil in a heavy bottom pan. Add red chilli, urid dal, mustard seeds, hing and turmeric.
- Once the mustard seeds start crackling, add slit green chillies and curry leaves. Saute the mixture for a minute.
- Add the squeezed eggplant chunks to the seasoning and mix it once. Check the taste and add salt and amchur powder accordingly.
- Cook this mixture on low flame without closing the lid for 8 - 10 minutes or till done.
- When its cooked half-way, add the grated coconut. Stir the mixture frequently to ensure even cooking.
- Turn off the flame when the eggplant chunks become soft and cooked nicely.
- Serve this delicious stir fry as a side dish along with rice.
- If cooked nicely, this stir fry stays good for 2 - 3 days at room temperature.
Tips:
- If you would like to add onion, add chopped onion while adding the grated coconut.
- This stir fry tastes better when eggplant is chopped very finely.