Soya Baingan

Ingredients

• • Violet brinjal (small) - ½ kg
• • Soya chunks - ½ cup
• • Oil (for frying) - as required
• • Butter - 1 tablespoon
• • Kasoori methis - 1 tablespoon
• • Tomatoes - 4
• • Salt - as required
• • Garam masala powder - ½ teaspoon
• • Sugar - 1 teaspoon
• • Dhania powder - 1 ½ teaspoons

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Ingredients For Masala

• • Red chillies - 8
• • Cashew nuts - 10
• • Pomegranate seeds (dry) - 1 teaspoon
• • Onions (chopped) - ¼ cup

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Method To Prepare Masala

• 1. Soak the above Ingredients in ¼ cup hot water for 15 minutes.
• 2. Grind to smooth paste, add ½ cup chopped onions and grind again to coarse paste.

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Method

• 1. Cut brinjals into lengthwise pieces and soak in water to which salt is added.
• 2. Heat water in a vessel, when it starts boiling, remove from fire and add soya chunks. Keep closed for 10 minutes.
• 3. Squeeze out chunks from hot water and then pour cold water. Squeeze again. Repeat the process two times more to remove soya smell.
• 4. Squeeze again, put in a mixie and run the mixie for a short time to obtain fine chunks.
• 5. Blanch tomatoes in hot water for few minutes, remove skin, grind to paste and strain through tamarind strainer.
• 6. Wipe brinjals with a cloth and deep fry to a golden brown colour. Keep aside.
• 7. Heat little oil in a frying pan, add 1 Teaspoon of sugar, when it caramelises, add ground paste.
• 8. Fry till oil is separated from the paste. Add dhania powder, garam masala powder, butter and stir for a minute.
• 9. Pour tomato paste,salt and boil for few minutes.
• 10. Add enough water, squeezed soya, fried brinjals and cook till gravy becomes thick.
• 11. Wash dry methi leaves in hot water to remove mud, chop finely and add to gravy.
• 12. Remove from fire. Serve hot.