Vankaya Koora (Andhra style Eggplant curry)

Lot of my Andhra friends has told me about Gutti Vankaya Koora. So one fine day I thought of trying this recipe and couldn’t get time to check the recipe from my friends. So Googled and found a quick recipe. This dish is inspired by Sunitha’s Kitchen recipe for Gutti Vankaya Koora. As I didn’t make any stuffing, my recipe is more like a Vankaya (Eggplant) curry. This tangy curry is very delicious and rich in flavor. So here is the recipe for a yummy Vankaya Koora.

Serves: 4 people

Cooking time: 30 mins

Ingredients

Eggplant/ Brinjal                  - 7-8 no's

Onion                                   - 1 big (finely chopped)

Ginger- garlic paste             - 2 tsp

Turmeric powder                 - 1/2 tsp

Chilli powder                        - 1 tsp

Tamarind pulp                      - 1 tsp (mixed in 1 cup of water)

Salt

Oil 

For grinding

Coconut                              - 1/2 cup (grated)

Sesame seeds                   - 2 tbsp 

Bengal gram (split)             - 1 tsp

Peanuts                              - 2 tbsp

Dry red chillies                    - 3-4 no's

Curry leaves                       - few

For seasoning

 Oil

Mustard seeds                 - 1/2 tsp

Dry red chilli                     - 2 no's (broken)

Curry leaves

Preparation

1.  Wash and clean the eggplants using a dry napkin or paper towel. Do not remove the stem and make 3 slits in each eggplant.
2. In a blender, grind the dry roasted ingredients by adding grated coconut and enough water to make a paste.
3. In a frying pan, add enough oil and fry the eggplants till it becomes soft.
4. Heat two tbsp of oil in a pan and add the ingredients mentioned under 'for seasoning'. Once it start spluttering add the chopped onions, salt and saute well till it become brown in color.
5. Add the ginger-garlic paste and saute till the raw smell goes away. 
6. Add turmeric powder along with the ground masala. Cook it on a low-med flame for few mins.
7.  Then add chilli powder, tamarind water and fried eggplants. Mix well and cover and cook it for 5mins or until eggplants are fully done.
8. Serve hot with chapati or rice :)