Brinjals are also known as aubergine, baingan and eggplants. They are amongst the most versatile vegetables and vary in size from small to large. Buying them in small to medium size is preferred as large brinjals have more seeds which can make the vegetable bitter. Various recipes are prepared with them like roasted, fried, cooked and stuffed brinjals. They were Shirdi Sai baba’s favourite and he used to prepare them himself. Even today they are offered to him as an offering. They are used by Shirdi kitchen to prepare a bhog which is distributed among the devotees in vegetable form along with other prasad.
You might be wondering why brinjals are called as an eggplant. Brinjals belong to night shade family which includes bell pepper, tomatoes, capsicum and potatoes. Night shade plant contains a chemical known as alkaloid which may affect us in positive or negative way. Some alkaloids are beneficial whereas some aren’t like tobacco. Brinjals grow on a vine plant and some of their species actually look like an egg in shape. That’s why they are also called by this name. For many brinjals may be vegetable, but actually it’s a fruit.
We will prepare very simple yet an exotic dish with very few ingredients on a pan without frying them. You may also call it Vangyache Kaap. In this recipe we will cut the brinjals into circle. Don’t cut them too thin as their edges might burn while cooking. The seasoning I am using are besan/gram flour, haldi/ turmeric powder, Dhaniya/ coriander powder, chaat masala, salt, garam masala, sesame seeds and garnish with tamarind sweet chutney. These basic ingredients turn the brinjals into an amazing dish which can be had as an appetizer or as a snack. I had them as a main course in dinner and they came out really well.
Benefits of Brinjals
Baingan are storehouse of numerous hidden health benefits irrespective of whichever form they are relished. Let’s together know some of their major benefits.
Tocopherol properties
As we all know that tocopherol (antioxidant) properties prevent us from free radical cells which could damage the healthy cells. They also prevent us from various chronic problems which are related to heart and cancer diseases.
May help to lose weight
Eggplants are not only fibrous but also low on calorie count that makes them a prefect food for those looking to shed unwanted weight. The fibres make the digestion slow making one feel fuller.
Prevents heart diseases
The tocopherol (antioxidant) properties aids in prevention of cardiovascular diseases. They may also slow down rate of outspread of cancer.
Keeps blood sugar levels under control
Eggplants are fibrous which helps to slow down the digestion process. Slow digestion means uniform release of sugar from the food preventing from any unforeseen spikes.
Strengthens the bones
Eggplant has minerals like magnesium, calcium and potassium which aids in strengthening the bones and reducing the bone injuries.
Fights against anaemia
Baingan are rich in iron and copper. An iron rich diet helps in preventing ailments like anaemia. Together combined they aid to boost the production of red blood cells increasing the levels of haemoglobin.
Benefits of sesame seeds
These tiny looking seeds originate from a plant named Sesamum indicum. When consumed daily in moderate quantities one can reap the benefits of these small seeds.
Natural source of fibre
These seeds are rich source of fibre and by including them in the diet they aid in preventing numerous diseases. Fibre adds bulk to the food and improves the digestion.
Helps to keep away bad cholesterol
Sesame seeds have a group of substances that aids to reduce the bad cholesterol (LDL) which causes heart disease.
Helps in reducing the blood pressure
High in magnesium these seeds help to bring down the high blood pressure. High blood pressure can lead to various heart diseases like strokes and heart attacks etc. The presence of vitamin E and tocopherol properties also keeps the arteries clean making the supply of blood from heart smooth.
Rich in vitamin B
These seeds are rich in vitamin B and should be consumed along with the hull as the hull too contains some amount of vitamin B.
Improves immunity
Sesame seeds boost the immune system as they contain copper, zinc, iron, magnesium, vitamin E and B6. All these vitamins and minerals in sesame seeds boosts the immune system keeping the infections and diseases at bay.
Recipe of pan cooked Brinjals/eggplant/baingan
Preparation time: - 5 minutes.
Cooking time: - 10 minutes for 10 slices on non-stick tawa.
Serves 2 nos.
Ingredients
1 large round baingan/brinjal cut into thin round slices and soaked in salty water
2 tbsp besan/ gram flour
1tsp sesame seeds
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp coriander powder
1/4 th tsp turmeric powder
1tbsp chaat masala1/4 th tsp red chilli powder
1/2 tsp garam masala
2 tbsp tamarind sweet chutney
Photo Wise
Take a brinjal and cut it into round slices.
Soak them in salt water.
Take out the slices one by one and coat them in the masala.
Coat both the sides of each slice.
Place a broad non-stick pan or a heavy tawa on the flame with 2-3 tbsp oil.
After 2-3 minutes turn the side and cook till both sides are nicely brown.
Serve hot.
Video
Method
Cut brinjal into thin round slices and soaked in salty water.
Mix the masalas well.
Place a broad non-stick pan or a heavy tawa on the flame with 2-3 tbsp oil.
Coat the brinjals with the masala and keep placing them on the pan.
After 2-3 minutes turn the side and cook till both sides are nicely brown.
Serve hot.
Summarizing the article
Brinjal are also known by the name aubergine, baingan and eggplants. They are among the most versatile vegetable.
This recipe is prepared with basic ingredients like basin/gram flour, haldi/ turmeric powder, Dhaniya/ coriander powder, chaat masala, salt, garam masala, sesame seeds and garnish with tamarind sweet chutney that transformed the brinjals into exotic dish.
They are members of night shade family which includes their relative’s potatoes, tomatoes, bell pepper and capsicum. Some are night shade vegetables are beneficial for health while there are some which might impact one’s health.
Eggplants have numerous benefits. They prevent sudden spike of sugar levels by making the digestion process slow and releasing the sugar present in the food steadily. They are rich in tocopherol properties which helps in averting cardio related diseases. Minerals like magnesium, calcium and potassium which aids in strengthening the bones.
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