A fragrant Hyderabadi rice pilaf cooked with whole spices, fried onions, and fresh mint. This simple one-pot dish is the perfect companion for rich, spicy curries and is a staple at celebrations.
Prep15 min
Cook25 min
Soak30 min
Servings4
Serving size: 1 cup
376cal
6gprotein
63gcarbs
Ingredients
1.5 cup Basmati Rice (Rinsed and soaked for 30 minutes)
3 tbsp Ghee (Can be substituted with vegetable oil for a vegan version)
1 large Onion (Thinly sliced)
1 tsp Shahi Jeera (Also known as caraway seeds)
1 inch Cinnamon Stick
4 whole Cloves
3 pods Green Cardamom (Slightly crushed)
1 large Bay Leaf
1 whole Star Anise (Optional, but recommended for authentic flavor)
A classic Hyderabadi curry featuring tender, fried baby eggplants simmered in a rich, nutty, and tangy gravy made from peanuts, sesame seeds, and coconut. A quintessential side dish for biryani or pulao.
Aromatic Bagara Rice with perfectly spiced Bagara Baingan. A soul-satisfying vegetarian delight!
This hyderabadi dish is perfect for dinner. With 655.3 calories and 10.96g of protein per serving, it's a nutritious choice for your meal plan.
11gfat
1 tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste
3 whole Green Chili (Slit lengthwise)
0.25 cup Mint Leaves (Fresh, roughly chopped)
3 cup Water (Use hot water for faster cooking)
1.5 tsp Salt (Adjust to taste)
2 tbsp Coriander Leaves (Freshly chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
1
Prepare the Rice: Rinse 1.5 cups of basmati rice under cold running water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in ample water for 30 minutes. After soaking, drain it completely using a colander and set aside.
2
Sauté Spices (Baghar): Heat 3 tbsp of ghee in a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once hot, add 1 tsp shahi jeera, a 1-inch cinnamon stick, 4 cloves, 3 green cardamom pods, 1 bay leaf, and 1 star anise. Sauté for 30-45 seconds until the spices release their aroma.
3
Caramelize Onions: Add 1 large, thinly sliced onion to the pot. Sauté, stirring frequently, for 8-10 minutes until the onions turn a deep golden brown. This step is crucial for the authentic color and flavor of the dish.
4
Sauté Aromatics: Add 1 tbsp of ginger-garlic paste and 3 slit green chilies. Cook for about 1 minute until the raw smell of the paste disappears. Then, add 0.25 cup of chopped mint leaves and stir for another 30 seconds.
5
Toast the Rice: Add the drained rice to the pot. Gently stir for 1-2 minutes, ensuring each grain is coated with the ghee and spices. Be careful not to break the delicate rice grains.
6
Cook the Rice: Pour in 3 cups of hot water and add 1.5 tsp of salt. Stir gently once to combine. Increase the heat to high and bring the water to a vigorous boil.
7
Steam the Rice (Dum): As soon as it boils, reduce the heat to the absolute lowest setting. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and let it cook undisturbed for 15 minutes.
8
Rest and Fluff: After 15 minutes, turn off the heat but do not open the lid. Let the rice rest for another 10 minutes. This allows the grains to firm up and absorb any residual steam. Finally, open the lid and gently fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains.
9
Garnish and Serve: Garnish with 2 tbsp of freshly chopped coriander leaves. Serve hot with your favorite curry, like Bagara Baingan or Dalcha.
4
Serving size: 1 cup
279cal
5gprotein
17gcarbs
23gfat
Ingredients
250 g Baby Eggplants (About 8-10 pieces)
3 tbsp Peanuts (Raw, unsalted)
2 tbsp Sesame Seeds (White)
2 tbsp Dry Coconut (Grated or desiccated)
4 tbsp Vegetable Oil (For frying and gravy)
1 tsp Mustard Seeds
1 tsp Cumin Seeds
10 leaves Curry Leaves
1 medium Onion (Finely chopped)
1 tbsp Ginger-Garlic Paste
0.5 tsp Turmeric Powder
1.5 tsp Red Chili Powder (Adjust to taste)
1.5 tsp Coriander Powder
1 tbsp Tamarind Paste
1 tsp Jaggery Powder (Or grated jaggery)
1.25 tsp Salt (Adjust to taste)
1.5 cup Water (Warm)
0.5 tsp Garam Masala
2 tbsp Coriander Leaves (Freshly chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
1
Dry Roast & Make Masala Paste
In a dry pan over low heat, separately roast the peanuts until lightly browned and aromatic, then the sesame seeds until they pop, and finally the dry coconut until golden. This takes about 5-7 minutes in total.
Allow all roasted ingredients to cool completely to room temperature.
Transfer the cooled ingredients to a blender and grind into a fine powder.
Add 1/4 cup of water to the powder and blend again to form a smooth, thick paste. Set aside.
2
Prepare & Fry Eggplants
Wash the baby eggplants and pat them dry. Make a '+' shaped slit from the bottom, going about three-quarters of the way up, keeping the stem intact.
Heat 4 tablespoons of oil in a wide, heavy-bottomed pan (kadai) over medium heat.
Carefully place the eggplants in the hot oil and shallow fry them, turning occasionally, for 8-10 minutes until the skin is wrinkled and they are about 80% cooked.
Remove the fried eggplants with a slotted spoon and set them aside. There should be about 2 tablespoons of oil remaining in the pan.
In the same pan with the remaining oil, add the mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Allow them to splutter, which should take about 30 seconds.
Add the curry leaves and sauté for another 30 seconds until they turn crisp and aromatic.
Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it turns soft and golden brown.
Stir in the ginger-garlic paste and cook for 1 minute until its raw aroma disappears.
4
Cook the Gravy
Reduce the heat to low. Add the turmeric powder, red chili powder, and coriander powder. Stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the prepared ground masala paste. Cook on low heat, stirring frequently, for 7-8 minutes. This step is crucial; cook until the paste darkens in color and you see oil separating from the sides.
Stir in the tamarind paste and jaggery powder, mixing them well into the masala.
Gradually pour in 1.5 cups of warm water while stirring continuously to create a smooth, lump-free gravy. Add the salt and mix well.
Bring the gravy to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat.
5
Simmer & Finish
Gently place the fried eggplants into the simmering gravy, ensuring they are well-coated.
Cover the pan and let it cook on low heat for 10-12 minutes, or until the eggplants are fully tender and the gravy has thickened.
Turn off the heat. Sprinkle the garam masala over the curry and garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves.
Let the curry rest for at least 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
