This aromatic Eggplant Curry is a very simple and easy recipe. Perfect vegan dinner recipe that is good for lunch or dinner. Made with Indian spices
Are you one of those people who hates eggplants?
Are you a fan?
This curry is so easy to make and delicious!
Growing up, I loved curries but always hated eggplants. Now, I can’t get enough of this curry. It is amazing how taste change with age, isn’t it?
I prefer using Japanese eggplants in all my recipes. In the case of this eggplant curry, I had to go 3 different stores and they didn’t have it, so, I ended up using the classic variety.
It isn’t that I haven’t used them on this blog in the past. My eggplant parm recipe, I used them. They do have a purpose in the culinary world, but, I cannot get myself to like them as much as the Japanese variety.
Cooking eggplants is an interesting challenge. For curries, boiling the eggplant is the best way to go. This is a great guide on how to boil an eggplant. Boil the potatoes also because they will melt in your mouth.
What food did you hate as a child but cannot get enough of it now?
Recipe for Eggplant Curry
1) Use 2 cups of boiled eggplant (1 small-sized classic eggplant) and 1 cup of boiled potatoes (1 medium sized red potato). Remove the skin from the potatoes only.
2) In a medium pan, add 3 Tbsp of olive oil
3) Add 1/8 tsp of Methi (Fenugreek) Seeds
4) Add 1/2 Tbsp of Black Mustard Seeds (Rai)
5) When the mustard seeds start popping, add 1/2 tsp cumin seeds.
6) Add 1/2 cup of chopped onions
7) Add 1 tsp of crushed garlic. If you can stand more garlic, add another 1/2 tsp.
8) Add 1 tsp of crushed ginger.
9) Add 1 Tbsp of chopped jalapeno. If you can stand the heat, go for 1 tsp or more
10) Let the onions get a little translucent and then add 1/4 tsp of Red Chili Powder (Extra Hot)
11) Add 1/2 tsp of Turmeric Powder
. Use more, if you prefer.
12) Add 1/2 Tbsp of Tamarind chutney. I will add another 1/2 Tbsp towards the end. You can add the whole Tbsp now, if you prefer
13) Mix well and add curry leaves, if you have them. Add 2 cups of freshly pulped plum tomatoes
14) Mix well and then add 3 cups of water.
15) Add 1 + 1/2 tsp of salt. You can adjust the amount according to taste
16) Add the boiled eggplant and potatoes. Crush about 3 potato and eggplant cubes. This will help thicken the curry a little.
17) Mix well and then add 1/2 Tbsp of brown sugar
18) Add 1/2 Tbsp of cumin powder
19) Add 2 tsp of garam masala or adjust to taste.
20) Mix well and set the heat to medium high. Cook for about 25 minutes or until the water is thickened. Remove the eggplant curry from heat and serve with Basmati rice and Spicy Mango Pickes
Eggplant Curry Recipe (Vegan)
Ingredients
- 1 japanese eggplant chopped
- 1 red potato skinned, chopped into cubes
- 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/8 tsp Fenugreek Seeds (Methi)
- 1/2 Tbsp Black Mustard Seeds (Rai)
- 1/2 tsp cumin seeds.
- 1/2 cup onions chopped
- 1 tsp garlic crushed
- 1 tsp ginger crushed
- 1 Tbsp jalapeno chopped
- 1/4 tsp Red Chili Powder (Extra Hot)
- 1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder
- 1 Tbsp Tamarind chutney divided
- 3 curry leaves (optional)
- 4 plum tomatoes (crushed in a mini processor)
- 3 cups water
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 1/2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 Tbsp cumin powder
- 2 tsp garam masala
Instructions
- Boil the eggplant and potatoes
- In a medium pan, add extra virgin olive oil
- Add fenugreek seeds and black mustard seeds
- When the mustard seeds start popping, add cumin seeds
- Add chopped onions, jalapeno, garlic and ginger
- Let the onions get a little translucent and then add Red Chili Powder (Extra Hot)
- Add Turmeric Powder.
- Add 1 part tamarind chutney
- Mix well and add curry leaves, if you have them
- Add 2 cups of freshly pulped plum tomatoes
- Mix well and then add 3 cups of water
- Add 1 + 1/2 tsp of salt (adjust to taste)
- Add the boiled eggplant and potatoes
- Crush about 3 potato and eggplant cubes to thicken the curry
- Mix well and then add brown sugar, cumin powder and tamarind chutney
- Add 2 tsp of garam masala or adjust to taste
- Mix well and set the heat to medium high
- Cook for about 25 minutes or until the water is thickened
- Serve with basmati rice
I love both curry and eggplant so this recipe is a win win for me! I have tried Japanese eggplants in Thailand and might prefer them over the regular ones too but can never find them at regular grocery stores in the US Maybe the Asian markets are carrying them?
Thank you, Vicky. I have seen the Japanese eggplants in Target store, Asian stores and occasionally in Walmart.
I’m like you, not an eggplant fan as a kid! I think I need to try it again in your curry, which looks WONDERFUL! 🙂 Love all the spices!
Thank you, Gin. It is nice to hear that you like eggplants as an adult.
I love eggplants, and I am always looking for new recipes to try and convince my husband of their deliciousness (I have one that he loves, but theres only so many times I can serve up the same dish) – must give this one a try!
Thank you, Donna
I absolutely love this recipe Rini. I can’t wait to try it with all those wonderful spices.
Thank you, Ginny
Mmmm!! Rini this looks so good! I would be in the “I love eggplant” crowd and what you’ve created looks like the perfect mea, what time is dinner? 😀
Thank you, Debra. I am happy to hear that you are part of the eggplant loving crowd
I made a curry with eggplant a fews weeks ago. i was surprised at how well it goes in a curry. It’s such a versatile and delicious vegetable.
Thank you, Mel
Such a colorful dish! I use to hate Brussels Sprouts but now I love them, probably because I learned to cook them right!
Thank you, Sophia
Sounds amazing! I love Indian curries…and eggplant! Yum!
Thank you, Jenn
Yum! I love eggplant and curry. I could eat this all day long.
Thank you, Linda.
Love eggplant and of course any curry! I love how creamy using eggplant does though! The best!
Thank you, Rebecca
Eggplant is one of my fav veggies and I adore curry! Yum!!
Thank you, Gwen