Gutti Vankaya Kura (baby eggplant curry)

Today, my friend Kalpana told me that she spotted my blog and found the recipes yummy. So here is to the Telugu girl who made my day :-) Gutti Vankaayi Kura is a tasty curry from Andhra. This is one variety of stuffed brinjal/eggplant curry. I shall soon post another stuffed eggplant recipe from tamil nadu which is called ‘yennai katthirikka’

Preparation time: 50-60 mins

Ingredients:
Baby brinjal/eggplant (purple or green): about 10
Onion: 2 finely diced
Ginger/garlic paste: ¾ tsp

Tamrind water: 2 cups

Curry leaves: about 8
Coriander leaves: 1 tbsp (finely chopped)

Red Chilly powder: 1 tsp

Coriander powder: 1 tsp

Cumin powder: ½ tsp

Turmeric powder: ¼ tsp

Mustard seeds: 1 tsp

Cooking oil: 2 tbsp (I use light olive oil)

Salt to taste

Method:
Preparing the stuffing:

Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a pan, add onion and fry till it becomes transparent.

Add the ginger, garlic paste and fry for a minute.

Add chilly, coriander and cumin powder. Add salt and mix well.

Remove the pan from the flame and let cool.

Grind this into a fine paste. While grinding sprinkle some water if required.

Wash the baby eggplant well.Slit each eggplant into four sections from the base without splitting the eggplant (the crown part should hold it together).

Gently stuff the ground paste into the slit of each eggplant and keep aside

Keep the remaining paste aside too. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan. Add the mustard seeds and wait till it splutters.

Add the curry leaves and fry for a few seconds.

Slowly place each of the stuffed brinjals in the pan and add the remaining paste on top. Add about 1/2 cup of water.

Cover and cook for about 20 minutes on low flame.

Make sure to stir the eggplant every few minutes without breaking them.

Add tamrind water and salt.

Cover and cook again for about 20 minutes on low flame.

Make sure stir the eggplant every few minutes without breaking them.

Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and your stuffed curry is ready to serve.

Gutti vankaya tastes great with roti or rice.