Sattu Baingan Masala

Ingredients 

• 1 1/2 cups sattu
• 8 medium brinjals
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 large onion , finely chopped
• 2 green chillies , finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon ginger , finely chopped
• 3 teaspoons red chilli powder
• 1/2 teaspoon asafoetida
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fennel (saunf) powder
• 2 1/2 teaspoons dried mango powder (amchur)
• 2 teaspoons coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• Salt to taste
• 13 teaspoons mustard oil
• Fresh coriander sprigs to garnish

Method

1. Take sufficient water in a bowl, add ½ tsp turmeric powder and mix well. Slit brinjals without cutting through and immerse in turmeric water.
2. To prepare the stuffing, take sattu in another bowl, add onion, green chillies, ginger, 2 tsps red chilli powder, remaining turmeric powder, ¼ tsp asafoetida, fennel powder, 1½ tsps dried mango powder, coriander powder, cumin seeds, salt and 6 tsps mustard oil and mix well.
3. Heat 5 tsps mustard oil in a stainless steel pan till it begins to smoke.
4. Stuff the brinjals with the sattu mixture, place them in the hot pan, cover and shallow fry on low heat, stirring occasionally, till golden brown on all sides.
5. Heat another non-stick pan, add remaining mixture of sattu and dry roast till colour darkens. Spread this on a serving plate.
6. Heat remaining mustard oil in the same pan, add remaining asafoetida, brinjals, remaining red chilli powder, remaining dried mango powder and mix lightly. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
7. Place the brinjals over the sattu mixture spread on the serving plate. Garnish with coriander sprigs and serve hot.