Kashmiri Khatte Baingan Recipe Hindi : Kashmiri Khatte Baingan is a side dish from Kashmiri Cuisine. Eggplant or baingan is generally not liked but some preparations of baingan are special and liked by everyone. To prepare Kashmiri Khatte Baingan, baingan is cooked in thick yogurt gravy along with the some known and regular whole spices and few selected spices which is regular in Kashmiri cuisine.
Yogurt is an essential ingredient to prepare khatte baingan in Kashmiri style. Yogurt gravy is called by a special in Kashmiri language . It is known as Yakhni. Yakhni means gravy of yogurt. In Kashmiri cuisine , there are various curries and dishes where yogurt based yakhni gravy is used.
For a vegan version of this recipe, yogurt can be replaced with plant based curd like peanut curd, soy curd or other options whichever is available. The taste of plant based gravy is definitely going to be different than the milk based yogurt. Generally plant based curd do not have the sourness like milk based yogurt. To adjust the sourness lemon juice can be a good option.
I have prepared Kashmiri Khatte Baingan many times by now. This is a favorite baingan dish for our family. Initially I cooked baingan as per the authentic recipe. In that recipe, baingan needs to be deep fried but now I prepare khatte baingan without frying.
If you wish to avoid deep frying baingan, air fryer is a very good option. Alternatively we can just slice the baingan and cook it in a non stick pan without applying any oil.
Recipe Details : Kashmiri Khatte Baingan
Ingredients for Kashmiri Khatte Baingan
- Baingan (egg plants) : 5 – 6
- Beaten Curd : 1/2 cup
- Dried Whole Red Chili : 2 – 3
- Salt to taste
- Turmeric Powder : 1/4 tsp
- Fennel Seeds : 1 tsp
- Cumin Seeds : 1 tsp
- Coriander Powder : 1/2 tsp
- Ginger Paste : 1 tsp
- Garam Masala : 1 tsp
- Oil : 1 tsp
- Black Cardamom : 2 – 3
- Cloves : 3 – 4
How to make Kashmiri Khatte Baingan
Step 1 : Deep fry or roast baingan / eggplant
Wash the baingan (eggplants) and cut the stem. Cut the baingan in thin slices. It can be cut round or the lengthwise. Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a pan and add fry the baingan till it starts becoming golden brown in color. Drain the excess oil and keep the fried baingan on a soaking paper to soak extra oil.
Alternatively we can just heat the non stick pan and place the baingan slices in it. If you wish, just spray the pan with oil spray and than place the baingan slices. Cook on low flames. Once it is cooked from one side, flip the side and now cook again. In this process, some water is released from baingan slices.
Step 2: Make yogurt mix for kashmiri gravy
Now, take a bowl and beat yogurt in it. Add turmeric powder, coriander powder and red chili powder in it. Mix all the ingredients. Instead of spoon, a fork is better to mix.
Step 3: Heat oil and prepare masala for kashmiri khatte baingan
Heat a cooking pan and leave one spoon oil in it. Now add whole spices. Add black cardamom and cloves and fry / cook till the cardamom and cloves are swollen. These whole spices add a nice aroma and taste to the yakhni gravy.
Step 4: Add yogurt gravy
Now add cumin seeds along with fennel seeds. Let the seeds crackle. Add whole dry red chili and cook for a while (few seconds). Add beaten yogurt now and keep stirring till it comes to boil. Here stirring is very important. By stirring, we make sure that the yogurt does not curdle while cooking. Add water if required to get the desired consistency of yakhni gravy. It is suggested to keep the gravy a bit thick for this recipe.
Step 5: Adding baingan / eggplant pieces
Now add fried / roasted baingan. Stir light else baingan pieces might break as these have been cooked already. Cover the pan and lower to flames. Cook for 5 – 7 minutes on low flames. Now add garam masala.
Kashmiri Khatte Baingan is ready. It is often served with various naan. Kashmiri Khatte Baingan can be served with chapati or rice as per the liking and preferences.
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