Today’s recipe essentially belongs to the southern part of India. Something I am not too used to, yet I have never been able to resist this dish since the time I have got introduced to it. The first time I had this dish was in Bangalore at a friend’s place. And I was completely blown away by the aromas and flavors of this dish. Personally I don’t quite like eggplants, but if it is cooked in this form, I can eat it all day! Vangi Bhaat is a flavorful dish prepared often in South India on special occasions like festivals and family functions. Small eggplants are used in Vangi Baath and the spice powder is blended using freshly roasted ingredients.
Although this dish is a part of Karnataka’s cuisine, it is very popular in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and even Maharashtra. The secret ingredient for this Vangi Bhaat is the spice mix freshly prepared at home. It is mostly a home-made dish and hardly served in restaurants.
This recipe is very simple and perfect for luncbox. The Vangi Bhaat spice mix can be prepared in a large batch and stored in the fridge for a long time. For all you people out there who do not like eggplants, this will be your frequent go-to eggplant dish once you’ve had it…..believe me you will love it !
Ingredients:
Small Eggplants – 6-8 (Diced up)
Cooked rice – 1 cup
Onion – 1 (finely chopped)
Curry leaves – 7-8
Peanuts – 10-12 (slit into half)
Fresh Coconut – cut into small pieces
Chana dal / Split chickpeas – 1 tsp
Cumin seeds – 1 tsp
Cinnamon stick- 1
Cloves – 4-5
Whole black peppercorns
Dried red chillies – 3
Coriander seeds – 1.5 tsp
Turmeric powder – 1/2 tsp
Goda masala – 1 tsp
Red chilli powder – 1/2 tsp
Garam masala powder – 1 tsp
Coriander leaves – finely chopped
Salt – as per taste
Method:
Dice up the eggplant into small pieces. Soak them in water to avoid discoloring.
Cook the rice in a pot of boiling water. Once the rice is done, drain and keep aside.
Prepare the vangi bhaat spice powder.
Roast chopped coconut, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, dried red chillies, chana dal, black peppercorns, cloves and cinnamon. Roast for a few mins until the spices are aromatic. Once roasted, take it off the heat and let it cool. Once cool, grind them into a fine powder.
I prefer to cook the eggplants separately with spices first and then add them into the rice. However usually the norm is that the eggplants are cooked together with the tempering. You could do that as well.
Add some oil in a pan. Cover and cook the eggplants with some goda masala, red chilli powder and salt until well done.
To prepare the rice, take some oil in a pan. Add the finely chopped onions, curry leaves and peanuts. Also add the turmeric powder. Fry for a few mins.
Add the blended spice powder that we prepared earlier. Mix well.
Add the cooked rice. Mix well.
Now add the cooked eggplants and chopped coriander leaves. Sprinkle some garam masala on top. Mix well. Taste and adjust the salt.
Once mixed well, Vaangi bhaat will be ready to serve. Garnish with some extra coriander leaves on top.
Relish this spicy eggplant rice with some raita and you are sure going to love it!! :)))
This looks delicious! And I’ve got three eggplants in my fridge right now….
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Great timing I must say! 😀 I hope you try it. This is an amazing way to have eggplants 🙂
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Dear Mona, I have nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award. I love your blog, and I sincerely hope you accept the nomination. However, you are not in any way obligated, and if you don’t have the time or inclination to participate, I understand and will not be offended.
You can see the rules in my post One Lovely Blog Award https://koolkosherkitchen.wordpress.com/2016/08/30/one-lovely-blog-award/
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Thanks so much dear Dolly! I feel honored 🙂 ❤
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You very much deserve it! You are lovely, your daughter is lovely, and so is your blog! 🙂
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You are kind Dolly😍 Thank you😀
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Nice one Lisa. Very well illustrated:)
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Thanks Sumith! 🙂
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Great one Mona; we make at home all the time as I am from Karnataka!
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Yes Rashmi. This is a specialty in Kannadiga homes. One of the many dishes from Karnataka that I absolutely love! :))
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Looks so good !
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Thank you :))
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Looks very yummy dear😃
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Thanks a lot dear! :))
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I’m not a fan of eggplant either but with the rice looks delicious 🙂
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Thanks Angie! Same here even I don’t like eggplants but when you make it this way, the simple eggplants just turn irresistible :))
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Looks lush and tasty! 👌🏻
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Thanks so much 🙂
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Woe!! That looks pretty delicious. An entirely new way of having Bhaat. I just knew about frying the rice with nuggets of garlic and mustard seeds, but this infact presents an entirely unique and interesting combination.☺👍
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Thanks Vivek. I know it’s not something we northies are aware of but it’s a very popular dish in south India and Maharashtra. And so delicious…full of flavors. ☺
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I just picked some fresh eggplant from my garden and now I know what to do with it. Thank you so much.
Leslie,
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Leslie I am sure you will love this dish. It is so full of flavors. And aromatic too☺
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I’m looking forward to it.
Leslie
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I love Vangi bhat! Your recipe looks delicious!
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Thanks so much Archana☺
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Oh this sounds delicious love combination!
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Thank you Suzanne. 😀
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Very nice recipe Mona! Looks soooo delicious . I have to try this definitely 👌
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Yes Payel. This is a lovely dish and a must try. Thank you😃
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This is everything.:)
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Thank you Deepak☺
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Interesting to see goda masala. Love God masala but never added it in vaangi bhaat. Should it try soon
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Thanks Vidhya. It’s a common practice in Maharashtra to add Goda masala to Vaangi bhaat. I am sure you will love it😀
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Yummy
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Thank you!
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Looks delicious
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Thanks Ruchi☺
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Very nice Mona.I am loving this.Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you di. Glad you like it☺
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Vanga bath looks yumm. Never tried before. Will try sometime. I like brinjal.
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Mona ji kuch aisa nhi hai jo ek ya do steps main ban jae. For bachelors you know, lazy bachelors haha.
By the way the dish looks delicious.
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Harsh tumhare liye to aunty khana banati hai na roz?!😉 Tumhe kya zaroorat….maa ke haath ka khana milta hai everyday😀
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Hanji. But once in a while kabhi kabhi maine bhi kuch bna deta hun. Just to surprise her 🙂
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That’s sweet! 😍 Aunty must be real happy to see her son cooking for her💖
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I usually cook when nobody is at home. Thoda conscious ho jata hun unke samne. 😅
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Hahah!! 😅
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That’s so tempting!
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Indeed it’s delicious Shweta. Thank you!😃
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Hey, it’s shreya:)
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Oops 😦 😀
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Looks so amazing Mona!
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Thank you dear 🙂
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Oh my God! This is my absolute favourite from home 🙂 We make with a slightly thinner variety and light Green brinjal! And lots of jaggery 😊
Looks very delish Mona😊
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Thanks Divya. Yet to try the sweeter version with jaggery. I am sure it will be yum😃
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Superb! I have never heard about it before! Will try today!👍
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Thank you. I am sure you will love it😃
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I have never tasted it before, but sure looks tempting, Would give it a try soon. 😀 thanks for sharing.
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Thank you dear! Try and let me know how you like it😊
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I like the bartha a lot, and a stuffed brijals from andhra side. Lovely. Not a big brinjal fan
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Me too not a fan of brinjals. But I love this one☺
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