Brinjal/Eggplant rice

Brinjal is a very common vegetable used in India and in many other countries, but in different names like eggplant. Also this  is the one disliked by many of  us, including me. But you will all love this recipe and it tastes very good. Also this is very easy to prepare. Even kids who hesitate to eat vegetables, especially brinjal, will love this rice. This would be entirely different and tasty recipe for taking in your lunch box. This does not need any side dish or sabzi, just have fryums (அப்பளம்) with it and for sure it tastes too good.

Ingredients:

Cooked Rice - 3 cups
Brinjal - 3 (cut to cubes)
Onion - 1 (chopped)
Ginger garlic paste - 1 tbsp
Fennel seeds(பெருஞ்சீரகம்)  - 1 tsp
Curry leaves - 1 spring
Chana dal (Bengal gram) - 2 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
Chilli powder - 2 tsp
Coriander powder - 3 tsp
Salt - to taste
Oil 3 tbsp
Cilantro/Coriander leaves - to garnish



Method:

1) First cook rice and keep it aside. See that all grains are separate.

2) In a bowl, take the cut brinjal.

3) Add all spices and salt to the brinjal.

4) Mix it well and keep it aside for about 15 to 20 minutes.

5) After 20 minutes, heat a pan, put some oil in a pan and add the brinjal and let it cook aside.

6) In another pan, take oil and add fennel seeds, curry leaves. Also add chana dal/bengal gram.

7) Add chopped onion and saute it for few minutes.

8) Then add the cooked brinjal from the other pan.

9) Saute it for 5 mins and then add the cooked rice and mix it well. Finally garnish it with cilantro.