Ingredients: tablespoon Sesame (Gingelly) Oil, teaspoon Mustard seeds, sprig Curry leaves - torn, Small Brinjal (Baingan / Eggplant) - quartered and soaked in salt water, teaspoon Turmeric powder (Haldi), teaspoon Salt, teaspoon Turmeric powder (Haldi), - to taste, tablespoon Chana dal (Bengal Gram Dal), tablespoon Coriander (Dhania) Seeds, Dry Red Chillies, tablespoon Sesame (Gingelly) Oil, Onion - thinly sliced, cup Fresh coconut - grated, teaspoon Sesame (Gingelly) Oil, - to taste, cup Water, Vegetarian diet
Instructions: To begin making the Nellor Brinjal Fry Recipe, prepare all the ingredients and keep them ready.Soak the cut brinjal in salt water to prevent it from turning dark.First step is to roast the brinjal. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat; add the mustard seeds and curry leaves and allow the mustard seeds to crackle.Drain the water from the brinjal and add the brinjal, turmeric powder and salt. Stir to combine and cover the pan and cook the brinjal until the brinjal is roasted and cooked. Keep this aside.To make the Nellor Masala, in a pan add the chana dal, coriander seeds and red chillies. Roast them well until the dal has turned golden brown. Keep aside.In the same pan; add oil, the sliced onions and saute until the onions soften and turn slightly brown.Once the onions have browned, add the grated coconut and stir fry for another 3 to 4 minutes until you can smell the aromas of the coconut coming through. Once done turn off the heat.Add the roasted dal mixture and onion mixture to a small jar of the mixture grinder along with 1/4 cup of water and blend to make a smooth paste.Add this masala to the roasted brinjal along with 1/2 cup of water and mix well to combine the Nellor Brinjal fry. Cover the pan and simmer for 5 minutes and turn off the heat.Check the salt and chillies and adjust to taste accordingly. Once done, transfer the Nellor Brinjal Fry to a serving bowl and serve hot.Serve the Nellor Brinjal Fry Recipe along with some Steamed Rice, Palak Tovve or Palak Dal or just with plain Tawa Parathas.