Begun Bhaja (Bengali Crisp Fried Aubergine)
Thick aubergine rounds rubbed with turmeric and chilli, then shallow fried until crisp outside and soft within. Perfect beside dal and rice.
- Time25 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £0.33 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
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Method
- 1
Trim the aubergines and cut into rounds 1 cm thick. Lay them on a board and sprinkle with the salt. Leave for 10 minutes, then pat dry with kitchen paper.
10 min - 2
Mix the turmeric, chilli powder and rice flour on a plate.
- 3
Press each aubergine slice into the mixture to coat both sides lightly.
- 4
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large frying pan over a medium high heat. Fry the slices in batches for 3 minutes on each side, until deep golden and crisp at the edges and soft in the middle. Add more oil as needed.
- 5
Drain on kitchen paper and serve hot, with lemon wedges, dal and rice.
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.