Bengali aubergine in a yoghurt sauce

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(Can be vegan with vegan yoghurt)

I am happy to report that this tastes a lot better than it looks. I think the optics depend a bit on the type of yoghurt used (I used home-made cashew nut yoghurt), but of course also on the the cook’s food presentation skills, of which I have none.

  • 2 medium aubergine (begun) around 500g
  • 1 half tsp salt
  • 1 half tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp turmeric powder
  • oil
  • 1 tblsp mustard oil
  • 1 tsp kalonji
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 half tsp chili powder
  • 1 tblsp freshly grated ginger
  • 2,50 dl yoghurt (I used my own homemade cashew nut yoghurt)
  • 1 half tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp coriander powder
  • 1 half tsp red chili powder
  • salt to taste
  • Optional: garnish with chopped coriander leaves
  • ½ tsp garam masala

  • Pre-heat the oven to 180°C
  • Cut the aubergines lengthwise, in quarters
  • Mix the oil, salt, chili powder and turmeric together
  • Place the aubergines in a parchment lined baking tray and spread the oil/spice mixture on the cut surfaces
  • Bake in the oven for 15-17 minutes or until cooked through. Remove from oven
  • Meanwhile, in a pan, heat the mustard oil to smoking point. Reduce the flame and add the kalonji, bay leaf, chili powder, and ginger, and roast, stirring.
  • Lower the flame, add the yoghurt, turmeric, coriander powder, and salt. Stir through immediately and continuously
  • When the oil separates, add 1 dl hot water and the roasted aubergines, making sure that the yoghurt/spice mixture is distributed on the cut surfaces of the aubergines. Cover and simmer for 5-7 minutes to let the aubergines start to absorb some of the flavours from the sauce
  • Turn off the heat and spinkle the garam masala and, if using, the chopped coriander over the dish before serving.