Cook Without Book

     Begun Bhaja Bengalis' favourite starter - brinjals roundels marinated in mustard paste and shallow fried. Cooking Time:  10-12 minutes Servings:  4   Preparation Time:  10-15 minutes   Category:  Veg Ingredients • Brinjals,cut into roundels 2 long • Brinjal 1 long • Kasundi Mustard ,for sprinkling 1 1/2 tablespoons + for garnishing • Oil 5 tablespoons + for deep-frying • Turmeric powder 1/2 teaspoon • Red chilli powder 1 teaspoon • Salt to taste • Fresh mint leaves a few for garnishing Method Mix together 3 tbsps oil, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, salt and kasundi in a bowl. Coat the brinjal slices with this marinade.Heat 2 tbsps oil in a non stick pan. Place the brinjal slices in the pan and shallow fry on low heat till golden. Flip, cover and cook for 3-4 minutes. Heat sufficient oil in a kadai.Peel brinjal, cut the skin into thin strips and deep fry till crisp. Drain on ...

Shaag Begun Borir Ghonto A Bengali speciality – spinach cooked with brinjals and nuggets. Cooking Time:  20-25 minutes Servings:  4   Preparation Time:  15-20 minutes   Category:  Veg f Ingredients • Spinach leaves (palak),shredded 2 bunches • Brinjals,cut into 1 inch cubes 2 • Bori (Bengali wadi) 10-12 • Oil 1 tablespoon + for deep-frying • Fennel seeds (saunf) 1 teaspoon • Cumin seeds 1 teaspoon • Mustard seeds 1 teaspoon • Onion ,chopped 1 medium • Ginger-garlic paste 1 teaspoon • Salt to taste Method Heat sufficient oil in a kadai and deep-fry boris till golden. Drain on absorbent paper and set aside. In the same oil, deep-fry brinjal cubes till golden. Drain on absorbent paper and set aside. Heat one tablespoon oil in a non-stick pan, add fennel seeds, cumin seeds, mustard seeds and let the seeds splutter. Add onion and sauté till it becomes translucent. Add ginger-garlic paste and sau...

    Baingan Canapes Cracker biscuits topped with masaledar baingan. Cooking Time:  20-25 minutes Servings:  4   Preparation Time:  15-20 minutes   Category:  Veg • Eggplant / Brinjal,cut into small cubes 1 medium • Biscuits 16 small • Oil 2 tablespoons • Onion ,finely chopped 1 medium • Green chilli,finely chopped 1 • Red chilli powder 1/2 teaspoon • Garam masala powder 1/2 teaspoon • Turmeric powder 1/4 teaspoon • Salt to taste • Tomato,finely chopped 1 medium • Fresh coriander leaves,chopped 1 tablespoon • Fresh coriander for garnish sprigs Ingredients   Method Heat oil in a non-stick pan, add onion and green chilli and sauté on medium heat till the onion turns a light golden. Add red chilli powder, garam masala powder, turmeric powder and salt. Mix well and add tomatoes. Mix well and cook till soft. Add eggplant and mix well. Cook for five minutes on medium heat, stirring...

Spicy Kofta Kadhi Kadhi without curds? if you are surprised, go ahead and try this recipe. This unusual recipe is created with a blend of tamarind water and besan spiced with a freshly-made paste. The koftas are also distinctive as they use a different combination of vegetables such as brinjals and cabbage. Preparation Time:  15 mins Cooking Time:  20 mins Makes 6 servings Ingredients To Be Ground Into A Smooth Paste (using A Little Water) 1 cup  roughly  chopped tomatoes 7   green chillies  , roughly chopped 12   garlic (lehsun) cloves 2 tbsp  freshly  grated coconut 4 tbsp   cashewnuts (kaju) 4 tbsp   poppy seeds (khus-khus) For The Koftas 3/4 cup  finely chopped  brinjal (baingan / eggplant) 1 cup  finely  chopped cabbage 1 cup  finely  chopped onions 1/2 cup   besan (bengal gram flour) salt  to taste 4 tsp  finely  chopped green chillies a pinch of  soda bi-carb F...

Khuswale Baingan       Microwave Recipe Curds and onions add zing to this baingan recipe. Teamed with steamed rice it forms a meal that will be fondly remembered by your taste buds. Preparation Time:  10 mins Cooking Time:  8.30 mins Makes 2 servings   Ingredients 4  small sized  brinjal (baingan / eggplant) 1/2 tsp   fenugreek (methi) seeds 1 tsp   chilli powder 1/4 cup  fresh  curds (dahi) 1 tbsp   oil salt  to taste For The Paste 1 tbsp   poppy seeds (khus-khus) 1 tsp   cumin seeds (jeera) 1/2 cup  roughly  chopped onions 1/2 tsp   chopped green chillies 2   garlic (lehsun) cloves For The Garnish 1 tsp  finely  chopped spring onion greens Method   For the paste Combine the poppy seeds and cumin seeds in a microwave-proof bowl, cover with a lid and microwave on high for 1½ minutes. Remove and grind to a fine powder in a mixer. Add the ...

                            Baghare Baingan Cooking Time:  20-30 minutes Servings:  4   Preparation Time:  15-20 minutes   Category:  Veg Ingredients • Brinjals,small 250 grams • Peanuts 2 tablespoons • Sesame seeds (til) 1 1/2 tablespoons • Poppy seeds (khuskhus/posto) 3/4 teaspoon • Dried coconut ( khopra),grated 1 tablespoon • Oil 4 tablespoons + for deep-frying • Onion ,sliced 2 medium • Mustard seeds 1/2 teaspoon • Cumin seeds 1/4 teaspoon • Fennel seeds (saunf) 1/4 teaspoon • Onion seeds (kalonji) 1/4 teaspoon • Fenugreek seeds (methi dana) pinch • Curry leaves 10-12 • Ginger paste 1 tablespoon • Garlic paste 1 tablespoon • Green chilli paste 1 teaspoon • Turmeric powder 1/2 teaspoon • Coriander powder 1 1/2 teaspoon • Cumin powder 1/2 teaspoon • Red chilli powder ...

A North Indian specialty of roasted brinjals, skinned and made into a simple but exotic preparation Cooking Time:  10-15 minutes Servings:  4   Preparation Time:  20-30 minutes   Category:  Veg Ingredients • Brinjals 1 kilogram • Oil 3 tablespoons • Cumin seeds 1 teaspoon • Onions,chopped 3 medium • Ginger 2 inch piece • Green chillies,chopped 2 • Red chilli powder 2 teaspoons • Salt to taste • Tomatoes,chopped 4 large • Fresh coriander leaves,chopped 1 1/2 tablespoons Method Wash, pat dry and prick eggplants. Roast them over open flame or in a tandoor/preheated oven until the skin scorches and starts peeling off and eggplants start to shrink. Let them cool. You can cool them by dipping them in water. Remove skin and mash the pulp completely. Heat oil in a kadai. Add cumin seeds. Cook for half a minute and add onions and sauté until translucent. Add ginger and green chillies and cook for a m...