Thursday, March 16, 2006

Vankaaya Paalu Posina Kura (Green Eggplants Cooked In Milk)

Green Eggplant or green brinjal,one of the varieties in brinjals (eggplant,aubergine,vankaaya,baingan or badinjan), is one of the most common vegetable which is grown all year round in Andhra Pradesh,the state I belong.They are round to oval in shape with a thinner skin unlike the purple eggplants.The small purple variety of brinjals are used to prepare the famous Andhra delicacy Gutti Vankaaya Kura (stuffed brinjal curry).The green brinjal has fewer seeds and are white which is a sign that they are fresh and tender.These eggplants have a delicate flavor and cook easily and are best suited to prepare this dish and Vankaaya Pachadi, an Andhra brinjal chutney recipe similar to Baingan Ka Bharta.
These eggplants sometimes have a bitter taste,especially during summers, and you can offset the bitterness by sprinkling a tsp of salt over them and place them in a colander so that the bitter juice of the brinjal pieces trickles down.Then wash them thoroughly in water and squeeze off excess water.Vakaaya Paalu (milk) Posina (pour) Kura is a very simple, easy-to-make,low fat dish where the brinjals (as name suggests in Telugu) are blended in milk which give the curry a rich and sweet flavor.

Vankaaya Paalu Posina Kura
Ingredients
1 large green brinjal (chopped into small cubes and place in salted water for 10 mts)

1 finely chopped onion
1 slit green chilli
1 tsp cumin seeds
5-6 slightly crushed garlic cloves
1” finely minced ginger piece
1 tsp red chilli pwd ( adjust according to your choice)
pinch of turmeric pwd
1 tsp coriander pwd
salt to taste

1 cup skimmed milk
10 curry leaves
1 tbsp oil

Heat oil in a cooking vessel ,add the cumin seeds and let them brown.
Now add the garlic,ginger,curry leaves and green chilli and fry for a few seconds taking care not to burn the tempering.
Add the chopped onions and saute till the onions turn pink.
Add the chopped brinjals and saute them for a few mts.Add the chilli pwd,coriander pwd and turmeric pwd.Combine.
Add salt and continue to saute for another 3-4 mts on slow fire covered till the brinjals are almost cooked.
Now add the milk and go on stirring on medium heat till milk is completely combined with the brinjals and you attain a thick curry consistency…this could take about 7-8 mts.You need to ensure that the milk doesn’t curdle,so keep stirring till the brinjals are fully cooked in the milk and then turn off fire.
Serve with hot steamed rice or rotis.
Note:You can make this curry with other brinjal varieties like Thai Eggplants or the purple variety.Ensure that they are tender and offset any bitterness before cooking the brinjals.

Some tips on cooking brinjals that I generally follow.If the skin is shrivelled and the seeds are black,don’t even think of using them, as they have matured and best discarded.Try to avoid cooking them in metallic utensils as they discolor the eggplants.Soak the chopped brinjals in water as they discolor when exposed to air.Soaking the eggplants in salted water before cooking ensures that the salted water draws out the moisture and removes any bitterness and hence absorbs less fat while cooking.Try to cook brinjals with the skin as the skin of the brinjal is rich in flavonoids and other antioxidants, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Chlorogenic acid, an anti-oxidant found in eggplants, is especially potent, with research suggesting it has anti-cancer, anti-microbial and anti-viral properties, as well as an ability to help reduce levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol.Eggplant benefits those suffering from high blood pressure and due to its richness in vitamin D, it helps to strengthen our blood vessels and clear blood clots, thereby preventing stroke.Eggplant is low in calories,high in potassium and vitamin K with good fibre content.Read more about the medicinal and health benefits of eggplants.


An ayurvedic remedy for indigestion is to drink soup made of brinjal and tomato and this vegetable helps overcome constipation too.Hopefully, the health benefits of eggplants should encourage all those brinjal haters to venture into their kitchens and whip up a simple low calorie delicious dish like Vankaaya Paalu Posina Kura..:)

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14 comments:

Ashwini said...

That looks yummy. I wish I could get the green one here but I will try this with the Thai eggplant. Thanks for the tips too!

Ilva said...

Do you know that 5 minutes ago I was wondering what you were doing, if something had happened to you and Bling! you pop up on my Bloglines! Love it!

Annita said...

Looks mouth watering.I'm a great lover of eggplant dishes.But I haven't seen these green variety of eggplants anywhere in our area.Will try it with what i'm getting here...

Priya said...

This curry sounds totally different from ouru usual brinjal recipes. I never knew that eggplants benefits ppl having high blood pressure. CAn u tell me the diff between aubergines, egg[lants and brinjal.All are the same right.

Anonymous said...

Sailu, been a long time since I got to see a gravy based dish from Andhra...this paalu based dish with green brinjals are a must try.....thanks for the recipe...sounds delicious:)

Kitchenmate said...

Sailu: Cool recipe, would love to try this, but is it ok to try with purple Indian egg plants. I bought green egg plant from a Chinese store sometime back, but those egg plants were so matured and too much seedy that i have to throw away. Love the look of those white less seedy egg plants...

sailu said...

Your welcome,Ashwini.

*LOL*..Ilva,I am absolutely fine...:)

Annita,this particular curry will taste good with most brinjals which are tender and less seeds.

Tin,reminds you of someone and something..???

All are the same,Priya.Called by different names in different regions of the world.Yes,its good for people with high blood pressure.

You will love it Lera and it goes well with hot chapatis.

Yes,KM,you could try with the small purple variety too.Ensure that they are tender and fresh.

Anonymous said...

nice recipes, and mostly like the presentation style of them.

Luv2cook said...

Cool Sailu..never heard of vankaya paluposina koora...also thank you for that wonderful information about eggplants..

Sue said...

Omygod, you're from Vizag! I grew up there and you bet I miss the food. Was just going through your dosa recipe and reading the comments there when I saw the Vizag bit.

Keep the recipes coming, I will check them out!

Kay said...

I'm so glad to see you back. I was wondering about you and then read somewhere ;) that you've been busy with your volunteering work!

Sailu, This dish looks very yummy. Can you post that Vankaya PAchadi recipe too... At home, mom makes a similar Kathrikai bajji (not a fritter, but something like baingan ki bharta). I'd die for this dish. I'd love to see your recipe too..

Anonymous said...

Hi Sailu,
Just wanted to tell you that as I am a new blogger, updating something or the other.....today changed my url.
I get inspired when I see your site. Nice Work

Journal Actif said...

Hi Sailu,
This looks so good. My men don't like eggplants, or so they think ;-)) I have yet to find a recipe for eggplants I won't end up eating alone. Maybe this one...

Anonymous said...

God! This is awesome! I thought only my mom made this dish .. one of my fav. I keep asking her over the phone how to make it. But never ends up like the one she makes. This looks very much like what she made.
I am going to go run get some eggplants and try it.
Thanks a million!