Gutti Vankaaya Kura (Stuffed Egg Plant/Brinjal Curry)

Gutti Vankaayi Kura or Stuffed Eggplant/Brinjal curry is Andhra special curry.This dish can be made with either the small purple brinjals or the small round green ones.But you need to make sure that the brinjals are absolutely fresh,shiny and tender(the seeds shouldnt be black)without a dried withered look.This dish tastes good only if the brinjals are fresh young and tender.The one I am posting today is made with the small purple ones.

Well stuffed brinjal curry can be made with a variety of stuffings.The one I am posting today is a family favourite and very simple to make.If the brinjals are tender you dont need to use a pressure cooker.The brinjals will cook well on steam in a cooking dish if tender.

10-12 fresh tender purple brinjals(vankaayi,aubergine)
2 onions finely sliced
6 flakes garlic
2 tbsp tamarind paste
1 tsp red chilli pwd
1/3 tsp turmeric pwd
1 tsp coriander pwd
1/2 tsp cumin pwd
1 tbsp white butter or ghee
1/2 tsp sugar (optional-but tastes good with sugar or jaggery)
oil
1 tsp cumin seeds
12 curry leaves
1/3 tsp methi seeds(menthulu,fenugreek)
salt
1 tbsp chopped coriander leaves(garnish)



Wash and dry the purple brinjals.Keep the stalks.
Prepare the stuffing first.
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan and add the garlic cloves and onions and fry on medium heat for 7-8 minutes or till transparent.Remove from fire and cool.Grind to a paste adding little water.
Add the coriander pwd,cumin pwd,chilli pwd,butter or ghee,sugar or jaggery and salt.Mix well.
Now take each brinjal and cut from the base end (opposite side of stem)and make a slit towards stem side but not all the way through i.e slit each brinjal into four sections lengthwise without cutting off the crown.The brinjals are ready for stuffing and the stuffing requires some patience...:)
Seperate the brinjal quarters gently and fill the stuffing inside slowly without breaking the brinjals.You dont want to break the brinjal...:)
Stuff all the brinjals in this manner.Keep aside the remaining paste.



Heat 2 tbsp oil in a cooking dish.Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.Add the methi seeds and curry leaves and fry for 5 seconds.
Now slowly place each of the stuffed brinjals in the dish and add the remaining paste on top and sprinkle 1/4 cup of water.Cover and cook for 20-30 minutes on slow heat.
Do check in between to stir the brinjals without breaking them.Once the brinjals are three fourth cooked add the tamarind paste and one cup water. Adjust salt.
Cover and cook further for another 15 to 20 minutes or till the brinjals are well cooked and soft to touch.Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.

To serve, gently lift the stuffed brinjals with a wide spoon and place on serving plate and pour the gravy.Tastes wonderful with hot rice or roti.
You can also check out stuffed brinjal curry at Indira's Mahanandi and Bharli Vaangi at Nupur's One Hot stove


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