For many, I am sure the name ‘Baingan Bharta‘ conjures up images of slow-cooked, delicious, hearty meals, often prepared by a loving mother or a doting grandmother. Baingan Bharta or eggplant mash made the Indian way is comfort food for a whole lot of locals. It is, for me too, but the smell I associate with Baingan Bharta is different from the usual.
Let me explain. Baingan Bharta is typically cooked by char-grilling a large eggplant on the stove till the skin blackens and the flesh within starts falling apart. The skin is then peeled away, and the flesh mashed and cooked in a pan, with various spices added to it. A smoky flavour permeates the dish, thanks to the char-grilling. This ‘smokiness’ is what most people look forward to, in a dish of Baingan Bharta. My version, which I learnt from my mom, does away with the char-grilling – here, the eggplant is cooked in a pressure cooker, then mashed and again cooked on the stovetop. There is no smoky flavour in our Pressure Cooker Baingan Bharta, but let me assure you that it is equally delicious.
The pressure cooker method is faster and a whole lot less messy than the char-grilling method. It does not leave you with a messy stove that takes ages to clean up, afterwards. Also, since you cut upon the eggplant before pressure cooking it, you can always check for worms (they do have a way of getting in, in spite of no visible holes in the vegetable – eeks!). If you are not a fan of the ‘smokiness’, like the husband, this pressure cooker method works beautifully. Even if you do, do try out this version too – the result is so finger-licking delish that I’m sure you will like this as well. π
Amma‘s secret ingredient in this Pressure Cooker is a wee bit of tamarind paste. It adds a whole lot of flavour to the dish – trust me on that! Purists can baulk all they want, but I will continue to love this method just as much. I grew up with this, after all. Now, this reigns supreme in my household, too.
Enough said. Let’s now check out the recipe, shall we?
Ingredients (serves 4-5):
- 1 large purple eggplant
- 6 medium-sized tomatoes
- 2 medium-sized onions
- 6-7 cloves of garlic
- A 1-inch piece of ginger
- A small piece of tamarind (optional)
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 2 generous pinches of asafoetida (hing)
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera)
- Salt to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- About 3/4 tablespoon garam masala or to taste
- Red chilli powder to taste
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh coriander
- Salted butter as needed, to garnish (optional)
Method:
- Chop off the stem of the eggplant and peel it. Chop into large pieces.
- Take the chopped eggplant in a wide vessel and add in about 1/2 cup of water. Add a little salt. Place the vessel in the pressure cooker. Pressure cook for 4 whistles. Let the pressure release naturally.
- Meanwhile, peel the ginger, garlic and onion. Chop the garlic and onion finely. Grate the ginger finely. Keep aside.
- Chop the tomatoes finely. Keep aside.
- Soak the tamarind (if using) in a little hot water for about 10 minutes. When cool enough to handle, extract a thick paste from the tamarind. Keep aside.
- When the pressure in the cooker has gone down entirely, open it and get the cooked eggplant out. Discard the water the eggplant was cooked in. Mash the cooked eggplant using a masher, and keep ready.
- Heat oil in a pan. Add in the cumin seeds and the asafoetida. Let them stay in for a couple of seconds.
- Add the chopped onions to the pan. Saute on medium flame till the onions begin to change colour.
- Add the grated ginger, chopped garlic and tomatoes to the pan. Cook on medium flame till the tomatoes turn mushy, about 2 minutes.
- Now, add the mashed eggplant, salt and red chilli powder to taste, turmeric powder, garam masala and the tamarind paste (if using). Mix well.
- Stirring intermittently, cook on medium flame for 4-5 minutes or till the mixture comes together well.
- Switch off gas. Mix in the finely chopped coriander. Your Pressure Cooker Baingan Bharta is done! Serve hot or at room temperature, garnished with slivers of salted butter, alongside rotis, parathas or dosas. Baingan Bharta goes especially well with makke di roti aka rotis made using cornmeal flour.
Notes:
- For best results, use a fresh eggplant that is firm, with shiny and non-wrinkled skin. Make sure the eggplant has no holes in it, while you buy it – holes might indicate the entry of worms.
- Buy an eggplant that is light in weight in spite of its large size. This usually indicates that it will have fewer seeds and, hence, well suited to the making of Baingan Bharta.
- You may choose to add in the water in which the eggplant was cooked, too. In that case, you will have to cook the Baingan Bharta a little longer, till all the water is absorbed.
- I use ordinary refined oil to make this Pressure Cooker Baingan Bharta. Some people use mustard oil or ghee instead.
- I use country (nati) tomatoes in this Indian Spiced Eggplant Mash, which are more sour than farm-grown ones. If they are sour enough, you can avoid using the tamarind altogether. I usually add both the tomatoes and the tamarind, since we like our Baingan Bharta to be tangier than usual.
- Use only a very small piece of tamarind to sour the Baingan Bharta. You may use lemon juice as needed, instead, too.
- Chana masala or a mix of coriander powder and roasted cumin powder can be used in place of garam masala.
- Make sure the eggplant is cooked well before mashing it and adding it to the pan. Cooking times might vary depending upon the water used, size of the eggplant, and make of the cooker. For us, 4 whistles works perfectly.
- Adjust the quantity of salt, garam masala and red chilli powder, as per personal taste preferences.
- If you do not plan to use the Pressure Cooker Baingan Bharta immediately, allow it to cool down completely and then store it in a clean, dry, air-tight container, refrigerated. This way, it stays for 4-5 days.
- We typically eat Baingan Bharta with rotis, parathas or dosas. However, you can also use it as a dip for crackers or as a sandwich spread.
- My mom uses a whole lot of oil in making this dish – she says this is one of those dishes that tastes best when cooked in a lot of oil. I disagree. π I stick to about 2 tablespoons of oil while making this, and it still tastes equally delicious! Mom also prefers avoiding the garam masala, keeping the Baingan Bharta very basic – using just salt, turmeric powder and red chilli powder. I like adding either chana masala or garam masala – we prefer it this way.
Did you like the recipe? Do tell me, in your comments!
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This post is for the A-Z Recipe Challenge. The challenge was initiated on a Facebook Group, wherein a group of bloggers come together and we choose key ingredients alphabetically to cook and post a dish every alternate month. This monthβs Alphabet is βEβ and I decided to use ‘Eggplants’ as my star ingredient.
I’m also sharing this recipe with Fiesta Friday #257. The co-hosts this week are Suzanne @ Frugal Hausfraualupinthekitchen and Kat @ Katβs 9 Lives.
I am not a fan of baingan bharta mainly because its laborious to cook!! .. but this recipe is easy and I am curious to try it out! Thank you! π The spouse is a big fan of baingan bharta and so is my dad – I can’t wait to see if they like this home-made version π
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@pixie
You’ll love this, I’m sure. π Do try it out and let me know.
Thanks for dropping by!
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If you like the idea of the smokiness will the spices work if you do it the old fashioned way?
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@Tabula Rasa
I didn’t get you..
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I love finding simpler, faster, cleaner methods for cooking! Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday!
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@Kat
My pleasure! π
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Sounds delicious Good to know there’s an option to char-grilling – without a gas stove I usually do it on the BBQ outdoors but in Canada in the winter that’s not an option.
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@michele h peterson
Thank you! π
In this particular recipe only, char-grilling of the eggplant has been replaced by pressure-cooking.
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Dont get me started on Eggplant, I go crazy. Now this is the best and easiest way to tackle the bartha as I have a hotplate stove and have been struggling to this stuff. Thank you for making my life easy
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@Seema Doraiswamy Sriram
You must totally try out this pressure-cooker version then! π
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This is such a boon for eggplant lovers. Nice recipe to have around. Thanks for posting on fiesta friday.
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@ParsiCuisine
Thank you so much! π
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Iβve never tried making baingan bharta in a pressure cooker! This one is good for days when there isnβt the time to roast it on gas π And I definitely need to try adding tamarind to my bharta next time! Thanks for sharing!
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@Ashima
This is a good recipe to use for Baingan Bharta when you are running short on time. π Thank you!
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I love the sound of this dish, as I LOVE aubergines β never thought of using a pressure cooker though but what a great idea β I even have some tamarind paste in my fridge now!
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@Caro
Oh, you must absolutely try this out some time then! π
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I love this recipe! Eggplant (aubergine) is so versatile when you know what youβre doing. Thanks for sharing!
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@Alan @ MorePassportStamps.com
Definitely! Eggplants can be used in so many ways, and this is a highly delicious way to use them. π
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I love Eggplants (aubergine) so much! As I am not a very good chef, I will definitely pass this recipe on to my boyfriend. Cant wait to try it out!
Louise x
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@louiseloveslondon
If you guys love Indian food, I think you’ll love this. Good luck! π
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Wow bharta looks superbly delicious. My son donβt like roasted bagan bharta but he love pressure cooker bharta and I also add potatoes with eggplant. Next time when he come home I will make your version. Lovely share.
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@Batter Up With Sujata
Thank you! π At home, we like the pressure cooker version too.
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Nice quick version of the baingan ka bhartha.. I liked the smoked one roasted on fire ..
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@Shobha Keshwani
Thank you! This recipe is good when you are pressed for time or when one doesn’t like the smoky smell. π
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Making baigan bharta in a pressure cooker, now thatβs a recipe to use when one wants its in a hurry.
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@Mayurisjikoni
True that! π
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Just love baingan bharta with anything, pressure cooker method sounds easy and fabulous. Lovely dish.
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@Priya Suresh
Thank you so much! π
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I love your idea of making baingan bartha in the pressure cooker… I feel a bit intimidated charing the baingain (more of fear of burning my hand! Hehe…) so this is a saver! Must try on our veg days… π
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@Rafeeda – The Big Sweet Tooth
Thank you! Do try this out some time. I’d love to have your feedback. π
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Baingan bharta in pressure cooker is totally a new idea for people like me who doesnβt like smoky flavour of roasted brinjal.
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@Geetha Priyanka
Glad you liked the idea! π
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I have never made Baingan Bharta in a pressure cooker. I always roast it and make . I am going to try it this way as this sounds easier to make. Looks so creamy and delicious.
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@Sandhya Ramakrishnan
Thank you! Do try this recipe out some time. π
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βBaingan Bhartaβ is one of my favourite winter dishes. I generally use to cook it by roasting the eggplant direct on the flame. But your pressure cooker recipe is unique and fast. I just love the idea. π
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@Jayeeta
Thank you so much! π
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Baingan bharta in pressure cooker is comparatively quicker method. In Maharashtra also we have pressure cooker version, but we use spring onions and green chilies in it. Love your presentation Priya !
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@poonampagar
You can definitely add spring onion and green chillies to this. This is just a version that we – our family – makes and likes. π
Thank you!
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Pressure cooker bharta looks so inviting and the secret ingredient tamarind must definetly have added to taste. Yum
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@Renu Agrawal Dongre
Thank you! π
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The roasting of the brinjal and peeling after that are the messy parts of this recipe. With your method the trouble is out of the window and thatβs a great blessing.
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@Aruna
Thank you so much, Aruna! π
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The tamarind would have added additional tang to the dish and like you mentioned, somethings shouldn’t change especially when they have childhood memories associated.
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@Vidya Narayan
It definitely does. π
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Iβve never tried this pressure cooker style baingan bharta! Your style looks more inviting and easy to make, loved your surprising ingredient tamarind must definetly have added to taste. Delicious !!
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@JollyHomemadeRecipes
Thank you so much! Do try out this version some time. π
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Baigan Bharta is my favourite dish and I am tempted to take bite from your pic!! Liked the idea of cooking in the pressure cooker. I used to grill on stove top while in India and now bake in oven as I have induction with ceramic top. Add of tamarind is interesting, never used in bharta.Beautiful Click!!
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@FoodTrails
Thank you! Do try this version of baingan bharta out some time. π
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Great idea to use a pressure cooker to make this bharta!! Saves lot of time and energy! Must try your version soon π Your click is tempting me so much; absolutely delicious looking!
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@curryandvanilla
Thank you! Glad you liked the recipe. π
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Baingan Bharta is my all time favd and that tooo in pressure cooker is wow !!!
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@Sasmita
Thank you so much, dear! π
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This is the simpler way of doing the bharta. Looks too good
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@Veena Krishnakumar
Thank you so much! π
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Wow, simply wow..have never tried bharta in pressure..looking frwd to try this soon..awesome recipeπβΊ
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@Anshu Agarwal
Thank you so much! π Glad you liked the recipe.
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Now that is a yummy way of making baigan bharta. The idea of pressure cooking the baigan is great. Heard of it but never tried. I roast the eggplant in a copper based steel kadhai. Will Like to try but it.
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@themadscientistskitchen
Do try this version out some time!
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