A bold, garlicky, and spicy eggplant dish popular in Indian cuisine—especially loved for its rich masala and deep flavors. Perfect with roti, naan, or rice!
Ingredients (Serves 3–4)
- 2 medium eggplants (baingan), cut into cubes
- 6–8 garlic cloves (finely chopped or crushed)
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 medium tomatoes, pureed
- 1 green chili, chopped (optional)
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- Salt, to taste
- Fresh coriander (cilantro), for garnish
Instructions
- Prep Eggplant
Cut eggplant into cubes and lightly salt them. Let sit 10 minutes, then pat dry. - Fry Eggplant
Heat 1 tbsp oil and lightly fry eggplant until golden. Set aside. - Make Garlic Base
In the same pan, add remaining oil and cumin seeds. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant (slightly golden). - Cook Onion
Add chopped onion and cook until soft and lightly browned. - Add Tomato & Spices
Stir in tomato puree, turmeric, chili powder, coriander powder, and salt. Cook until oil separates. - Combine
Add fried eggplant and mix well. Cook covered for 8–10 minutes on low heat. - Finish
Garnish with fresh coriander and serve hot.
Serving Ideas
- With roti, chapati, or naan
- Over steamed basmati rice
- As a side with dal and salad
Tips
- Don’t overcook eggplant—it should hold shape
- Add a pinch of garam masala at the end for extra aroma
- Use mustard oil for authentic flavor (optional)
- For richer taste, add a spoon of yogurt or cream
FAQs
Q1: Can I skip frying the eggplant?
Yes—air fry or bake at 200°C for 15–20 minutes for a lighter version.
Q2: Why is my eggplant mushy?
Overcooking or too much water—cook on low and avoid adding excess liquid.
Q3: Is this very spicy?
It can be adjusted—reduce chili powder for milder taste.
Q4: Can I store leftovers?
Yes, refrigerate up to 2 days. Tastes even better the next day!
Weight Watchers (WW) Points (Estimated)
Full Recipe: ~8–10 points
Per Serving:
- (4 servings): 2–3 points each
Lower WW Points
- Use 1 tbsp oil total instead of 2
- Skip frying and roast eggplant
- Add more tomatoes for volume (0 points)
