Kathrikkai / Brinjal Thogaiyal

Kathrikkai / Brinjal Thogaiyal

Kathrikkai or Eggplant or Brinjal, known as baingan in Hindi, is known to be king of vegetables.  High on nutrients, this vegetable has many health benefits and hence, you should consume it at least once a week. Although a lot of people don’t like the taste, if you cook it well, it can be extremely delicious. Here is why you should add this vegetable to your list of groceries the next time you shop for vegetables.

Health benefits of Brinjal

Prevent cancer - Fibre and antioxidants are just two of the nutrients that make brinjal a food that can keep cancer at bay. Fibre helps clear the toxins present in your digestive tract and has been found useful in the prevention of colon cancer. 

Great for weight loss - Brinjals are great for weight loss as they are low in calories with 100g of the vegetable containing just 25 calories. It is also rich in fibre which helps in promoting the feeling of satiety which means that eating a small serving will make you feel full and prevent you from overeating.

Prevent heart disease - Like most fruits and vegetables, brinjals too are great for your heart. Being rich in fiber, potassium, vitamin B-6 and phytonutrients like flavonoids, this vegetable lowers the risk of heart disease. The presence of antioxidants keeps your arteries healthy and prevents heart attack. 

Controls blood pressure - It contains potassium, an important mineral, which plays a key role in maintaining electrolyte balance in the body. It also helps in neutralizing the effects of sodium on the body thereby aiding in blood pressure control. 

Good for diabetics - Low in Carbohydrates and rich in Fibres.

Lowers cholesterol in the body - It is rich in Chlorogenic Acid.

Gives your skin a natural glow - It is rich in Antioxidants and Vitamins.

Good for your brain - it contains Phytonutrients!

Help you to quit smoking

Tips you should follow while incorporating brinjal in your diet:

Instead of metal knife, use a stainless steel knife to cut the vegetable as it prevents the chemical reaction between pytochemicals present in brinjal and metal.

As you cut brinjal, put them in salt water or sprinkle salt over the pieces. This removes the compounds that render bitter taste to the vegetable. It also makes your dish more tasty and palatable.

Brinjal can be added to any dishes like sambhar, pizza or pasta or can be consumed even in fried, baked, sauted, grilled, roasted or steamed form.

Here I'm giving a delicious Recipe made with Brinjal! 

Ingredients :

Kasi Kathrikkai : 1 or 2
Black Gram Dhall : 1 cup
Red Chilli : 7 - 8 numbers
Green Chilli : 1 or 2 numbers
Tamarind : A small Amla sized
Curry Leaves : 2 strands
Asafoitida powder : 2 pinches
Cooking Oil : 3 tsp
Mustard Seeds : 1 tsp
Salt to taste

Method :

Select a big and fat Brinjal from the market! It's called Kasi Kathrikkai!

Wash the Kasi Kathrikkai / Brinjal and wipe it with a clean dry towel!

Roast the Brinjal in direct flame! The outer purple skin becomes black n Charred! Keep aside and allow it to cool.

Remove the blackened skin from the charred Brinjal!

Smash it slightly and keep aside!

Clean up to remove all the impurities from the Tamarind and tear it into small pieces.

Heat 1/2 tsp oil in a pan. Roast Black Gram Dhall, Red Chilli, Green chilli, Tamarind pieces, Curry Leaves, Asafoitida powder and Salt to golden brown!

Wet grind the roasted ingredients to a thick and smooth paste!

Now add the smashed brinjal to the paste and mix well!

Season with mustard Seeds!

Brinjal Thogaiyal is ready!

It can be served with hot Rice and gingelly oil, with any raitha and appalam (roasted in direct flame) as side dish!

It goes very well with Chappathis and Dosas too!

Have a Happy and Healthy Days!

Will be back with a delicious Recipe soon! Till then, take care! Bye!