Baingan Bhaja/ Begun Bhaja/ Pan Fried Aubergine

We all love to have food from restaurants. Well who will not, right? You get to taste something apart from everyday food....somebody else made it so you have not slogged or shed a sweat in making it...plus you don't have to do the dishes :). But we love the restaurant food for may be a couple of times in a row. If you happen to travel for couple of days and end up eating from outside every single meal, everyday, then you might picture even the simplest of homely foods as heaven. 

This Baigan Bhaja is so simple to make that it can get ready in just minutes. Like I said, when you are tired, post travel or even at the end of a hectic day at work, this simple dish can just cheer you up and make your meal so delicious and finger licking without putting in too much effort. Steaming rice, some tadka daal and this Baigan Bhaja... isn't that a picture of a homely meal that could satisfy the soul, craving for some comfort food. Here is how I make it. 

Ingredients

1. 8 slices of eggplant/baigan
2. 1 tsp of chilli powder
3. 1/4 tsp of turmeric powder
4. 1 tsp of lemon juice
5. 2-3 tbsp of chick pea flour/besan
6. Salt to taste
7. Oil for shallow frying

Method

• In a bowl, add the ingredients 2-6. Mix it well.
• Add the eggplant slices and mix it or spread the masala mixture on the slices to coat each slices completely.
• Heat a pan. Pour in about 2 tbsp of oil and rotate it around to spread it inside the pan. Place 2-3 slices (more or less depending on the size of the pan) in it. Cook it on medium-low heat until the sides turn golden brown. Flip it and cook the other side untill it is golden brown. Remove it onto a plate lined with paper towel. Do the same for remaining slices.
• Serve it hot with some rice, dal and pickle.

Tips

1. Baigin Bhaja serves well when it is hot /warm. So try making it just before serving lunch /dinner.

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