Badanekayi Ennegayi (stuffed eggplant)

Badanekayi Ennegayi (stuffed eggplant) step-by-step recipe with photos.

Ennegayi and jolada rotti (stuffed eggplant curry and sorghum flatbread) – the signature dish of the northern region of Karnataka. In fact, ennegayi is a staple of most households in north Karnataka. In this dish, the eggplants are slit opened and stuffed with a freshly roasted spice mix. It is also called thumbgayi which loosely translates to a vegetable that has been filled with something (that is, the spice mix). Round purple beauties stuffed with aromatic spices and shallow fried until tender and simmered in a delicious gravy. This dish takes me back to my childhood – the only eggplant dish I loved as a child.

Round purple eggplant is the hero of this dish. The spice mix varies slightly in every household. Here is my version of badanekayi ennegayi. For me, this dish is delicious is an understatement. Make it to believe it!

For more recipes with eggplant as the main ingredient, click here.

Badanekayi ennegayi

Shilpa

Round purple beauties stuffed with aromatic spices and shallow fried until tender.

5 from 1 vote

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Course Main Course

Cuisine Indian, Karnataka

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Total Time 45 mins

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 7-8 purple eggplant small, round ones. These are also called Thai eggplant
• 1 medium onion finely chopped
• ½ tsp mustard seeds
• 1 small piece tamarind
• 7-8 curry leaves
• ½ tbsp jaggery
• 4-5 tbsp oil
• Salt to taste
• A generous pinch asafoetida (hing)
• A few coriander leaves for garnish

FOR THE SPICE STUFFING:

• ¼ cup coconut grated
• ¼ cup peanut roasted
• 2 tbsp sesame seeds
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 2 tbsp split Bengal gram (chana dal)
• 1 tbsp split black gram (urad dal)
• 1 tsp coriander seeds
• ½ tsp fenugreek seeds (methi)
• 1 inch cinnamon
• 2-3 cardamom
• 2-3 cloves
• 7-8 curry leaves
• 6-7 dry red chill or as per taste
• 1 tsp oil

Instructions

 

• Make two slits on the eggplant taking care not to cut them apart (the slits should form a ‘+’ sign). Keep the stem intact
• Soak the eggplants in salted water for 20 minutes
• Soak the tamarind in ½ cup water for 15-20 minutes. Extract the water and discard any remaining pulp. Set aside
• In a frying pan, heat 1 tsp oil. Fry the stuffing ingredients except for coconut and peanuts until aromatic
• Cool completely and mix coconut and peanuts. Grind it into a smooth paste using some water
• Remove the eggplant from water and pat dry using a kitchen towel. Stuff the spice mix into the slits
• Heat a heavy bottom pan and add oil. Add mustard seeds and let it splutter
• Add curry leaves, asafoetida and fry for a few seconds
• Add the onion and fry until golden
• Place the eggplant carefully in the frying pan. Add any remaining stuffing, tamarind water, salt, and jaggery
• Bring to boil. Cover and simmer until the eggplant are completely done
• Garnish with coriander leaves and serve

Notes

• You may replace tamarind with 2 tsp tamarind paste
• You may use desiccated coconut instead of fresh coconut. In this case, roast the coconut as well along with other spices

Nutrition Facts

Badanekayi ennegayi

Amount Per Serving

Calories 123 Calories from Fat 90

% Daily Value*

Fat 10g15%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Sodium 2mg0%

Potassium 50mg1%

Carbohydrates 8g3%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 2g4%

Vitamin A 66IU1%

Vitamin C 36mg44%

Calcium 45mg5%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Badanekayi Ennegayi (stuffed eggplant) step-by-step recipe with photos

1. Fry spices in oil until aromatic

2. Stuff the spice mix into the eggplant

3. Fry onion until golden

4. Add stuffed eggplant into it

5. Add remaining stuffing, water, and cook