 Baigan bharta | |
| Alternative names | Begun bhorta Baingan bharta Mashed roasted eggplant |
|---|---|
| Type | Stew, casserole, curry |
| Course | Appetizer, side dish, main course |
| Place of origin | India |
| Region or state | Indian subcontinent |
| Associated cuisine | Indian, Punjabi |
| Serving temperature | 30–60 °C (86–140 °F) |
| Main ingredients | Eggplant, onion, tomato, chili, green peas, cilantro, 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, ginger, garlic, cumin, and topped with lime or lemon juice, fresh cilantro (coriander leaves) and sliced fresh green chili pepper. Depending on region and personal tastes, ghee (clarified butter) may be used in preparation of the dish. In some regions where mustard oil is popular, this may be used, though it possesses a powerful flavour and aroma. Most chefs use a neutral, high-smoking-point vegetable oil like canola or sunflower oil.[3] Traditionally, the dish is eaten by hand with flatbread (specifically roti, naan or paratha), and can also be served with a variety of rice dishes, like biryani, khichdi or pulao. The meal will usually be rounded-out with various pickles (mango, lime, lemon, etc) as well as raita, a palate-cooling yogurt dish/condiment (similar to Greek tzatziki) with many forms, including mint, mango or cucumber preparations. In Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, it is served hot with litti or baati.[4]
In India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, baigan bharta is part of the most popular cuisine items. In India, it is found in various regional styles, with ingredients varying from one region to another. Some chefs and recipes utilise seasonal mashed pumpkin, squash or sweet potato for added thickness and flavour. The dish has since spread to areas outside of India, particularly countries with high numbers of Indians and their descendants, including the United Kingdom, Australia, and parts of the United States and Canada. It is popularly eaten in the Caribbean, in places like Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago, where it is known as baigan chokha.[5]
- ^ Kumari, Arunima (19 January 2021). Encyclopedia of Bihar. Prabhat Prakashan. ISBN 978-93-5048-390-9.
- ^ Richa Hingle (2022). Vegan Richa's Instant Pot Cookbook: 150 Plant-based Recipes from Indian Cuisine and Beyond. Hachette.
- ^ Jaffrey, Madhur (2011). An Invitation to Indian Cooking. Alfred A. Knopf. p. 162. ISBN 978-0-375-71211-1.
- ^ KUMAWAT, LOVESH (18 May 2020). CUISINE. NotionPress. ISBN 978-1-64850-162-3.
- ^ Clammer, Paul (December 2021). Lonely Planet Caribbean Islands 8. Lonely Planet. ISBN 978-1-83869-004-5.
Cite error: There are <ref group=lower-alpha> tags or {{efn}} templates on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} template or {{notelist}} template (see the help page).