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Sudeera Bandara

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RECIPE

Ingredients

  • Brinjals (eggplants) – 500g (small or medium-sized)
  • shallots – 100g, thinly sliced
  • Green chilies – 3-4, sliced
  • Ginger – 1 tsp, finely chopped
  • Garlic – 1 tsp, finely chopped
  • Mustard seeds – 1 tsp
  • Fenugreek seeds – 1/2 tsp
  • Curry leaves – 1 sprig
  • Vinegar – 3 tbsp
  • Tamarind pulp – 2 tbsp
  • jaggery – 50 g (or to taste)
  • Salt – to taste
  • Turmeric powder – 1/2 tsp
  • Chili powder – 1 tsp
  • Cinnamon stick – 1 small piece
  • ⁠coconut milk – 100 ml
  • coconut oil – for deep frying

Nutritional Information

Calories 120-150 kcal
Protein 2-3 g
Fat 9-12 g
Carbohydrates 10-12 g
Dietary Fiber 3-4 g
Sugars 4-5 g
Sodium 300-400 mg
Potassium 250-300 mg

RECIPE

Brinjal (Eggplant) Moju Recipe

A Flavorful Sri Lankan Delight

Brinjal Moju is a classic Sri Lankan side dish, known for its sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors. It’s a must-have accompaniment for rice and curry meals.

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Instructions

  1. Prepare the Brinjals:
  • Wash and cut the brinjals into thin strips or small wedges.
  • Sprinkle with turmeric powder and salt, and let them rest for 10-15 minutes.
  1. Deep Fry the Brinjals:
  • Heat oil in a deep pan and fry the brinjal pieces until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
  • Grind in grinding stone mustard seeds and vinegar  until smooth paste 
  1. Prepare the Moju Base:
  • In a separate pan, heat 2-3 tbsp of oil.
  • Add fenugreek seeds, curry leaves, and cinnamon stick, and sauté for a few seconds.
  1. Cook the Aromatics:
  • Add chopped onions, green chilies, ginger, and garlic. Cook until the onions are soft and translucent.
  1. Add Spices and Seasoning:
  • Add chili powder, sugar, vinegar, and tamarind pulp. Mix well.
  • add coconut milk and Cook for a few minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
  1. Combine the Brinjals:
  • Add the fried brinjals to the mixture. Stir gently to coat them evenly with the spice mix.
  1. Adjust Seasoning:
  • Taste and adjust salt, sugar, or vinegar as needed to balance the sweet, sour, and spicy flavors.
  1. Final Touch:
  • Simmer for 2-3 minutes, then remove from heat.

Tips

Cooking Notes

  • Brinjal Moju is flavorful but can be high in fat and sodium due to frying and seasoning.
  • To make it healthier:
  • Reduce the amount of oil by baking or air-frying the brinjals.
  • Limit added sugar and salt.
  • approximate nutrition facts for a typical serving of Brinjal Moju (100 grams), based on standard preparation methods:

Other

Serving:

  • Let the brinjal moju cool completely before serving.
  • It tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together.
  • Serve with steamed rice, string hoppers, or roti. 


Seasoning:

  • To make it healthier:
  • Reduce the amount of oil by baking or air-frying the brinjals.
  • Limit added sugar and salt.

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Chef Sudeera