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Begun bhaja
Begun bhaja: Bengali pan-fried aubergine slices with turmeric and chilli
Begun bhaja is the crisp-edged, creamy aubergine slice that sits beside dal and rice on almost every Bangladeshi lunch plate, from Chittagong to Sylhet, and it is a must with bhuna khichuri on a rainy afternoon. Thick rounds are rubbed with turmeric, chilli and salt, then shallow-fried in mustard oil until the outside is caramelised and the inside melts like custard. Chef's tip: salt the slices and leave them for 10 minutes, then pat dry; they drink up far less oil and brown more evenly.
- Total time
- 27 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Lightly score both sides of each 1 large aubergine round in a criss-cross pattern. Sprinkle with 1 tsp salt and leave for 10 minutes, then pat dry with kitchen paper.
10 minStep 2: Mix ¾ tsp ground turmeric, ¾ tsp chilli powder and ½ tsp sugar and rub it all over the slices. Dust with 1 tbsp rice flour if you like a crisper outside.
Step 3: Heat 5 tbsp mustard oil in a wide frying pan over a medium-high heat until it just starts to smoke and its sharp smell mellows, then turn the heat to medium.
2 minStep 4: Lay the slices in one layer and fry for 4–5 minutes, until the underside is deep golden-brown with darker caramelised spots. Don't move them early; they stick until they've browned.
5 minStep 5: Turn and fry the other side for 4–5 minutes, until a knife slides through the centre with no resistance. A common mistake is frying on high heat: the outside burns while the middle stays spongy and raw. Drain on paper and serve hot.
5 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 170 kcal
- Protein
- 2 g
- Carbs
- 9 g
- Fat
- 15 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does begun bhaja take?
- About 27 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 12 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of ground turmeric?
- Leave it out (it mostly adds colour).
- What can I use instead of chilli powder?
- Cayenne, half the amount (hotter).
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