Watch how this aubergine dish - Borani Banjan is made


Watch how this aubergine dish - Borani Banjan is made

You can bake the aubergines or deep fry them for this yoghurt-based dish



Borani Banjan or Aubergine yoghurt dish from Afghanistan Video Credit: Anas Thacharpadikkal/Gulf News

Ingredients

3 aubegines, sliced

2 red onions, sliced

3 tomatoes, sliced

1 tbsp tomato paste

2 cups yoghurt, full fat

1 green chilli, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp turmeric

1 tsp chilli powder

1/2 tsp black pepper

Salt to taste

1 tbsp dried mint

30 ml oil

Ingredients for Borani Banjan
Ingredients:[Clockwise] Aubergine, garlic cloves, onion, tomato paste, tomatoes, oil Image Credit: Anas Thacharpadikkal/Gulf News
Spices used in Borani Banjan
Ingredients: [Top left to right] Red chilli powder, turmeric powder, salt, black pepper Image Credit: Anas Thacharpadikkal/Gulf News
Ingredients for Borani Banjan
Yoghurt and dried mint Image Credit: Anas Thacharpadikkal/Gulf News

In a bowl add sliced aubergines and rub it with salt. Keep it aside for 30 minutes. This will absorb remove excess water. After 30 minutes, strain the water and pat dry. 

1. Heat a pan and add oil. Add onions and sauté, chopped garlic, sliced tomatoes, tomato paste, chopped green chillies, red chilli powder, turmeric and crushed cloves, salt and mix them all together.

A guide to cooking Borani Banjan
Sauté onions until they turn golden Image Credit: Anas Thacharpadikkal/Gulf News

2. Add chopped garlic, sliced tomatoes, tomato paste, chopped green chillies, red chilli powder, turmeric and crushed cloves, salt and mix them all together. Pour a little water and mix them well. 

Borani banjan
Add tomatoes, garlic and spices to the mix Image Credit: Anas Thacharpadikkal/Gulf News

3. Pour a little water and mix them well.

Tomato onion paste
Make a paste and some water to it Image Credit: Anas Thacharpadikkal/Gulf News

4. Take a pan and add some oil, enough to shallow fry the aubergines.

5. Take a flat dish and line it with a kitchen roll. Once you remove the aubergines from the pan, place them onto the paper. This will absorb excess oil. 

To bake the aubergines 

While frying is the traditional way, you can also bake the aubergines. For this you will need to brush the aubergine generously with oil, add garlic cloves and bake until soft and golden. For about 15 to 20 minutes at 180C.

Note: Allow the aubergine to cool down for a while and make sure all the excess oil is released otherwise the dish will be too greasy. Aubergine absord oil while they are hot and begin releasing the oil as they begin to cool down. 

To plate

Spread yoghurt on a plate, place the fried aubergines on top of it. Cover it with the tomato paste and top it up with a spoonful of yoghurt. Sprinkle dried mint powder and red chilli powder on it.   

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