Beguni recipe: thin aubergine slices dipped in a spiced besan and rice-flour batter and fried crisp, the hot fritter served with khichuri in Durga Puja bhog.
Beguni, brinjal in a crisp gram-flour batter, with a cup of tea. Photo: Susmit00792, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Wash and dry the aubergines, trim the stalk end and cut them lengthwise or on a slight diagonal into slices about 5 mm thick.
Beguni, brinjal in a crisp gram-flour batter, with a cup of tea. Photo: Susmit00792, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
In a bowl, whisk together the besan, rice flour, turmeric, chilli powder, nigella seeds, hing, salt and sugar.
Beguni, brinjal in a crisp gram-flour batter, with a cup of tea. Photo: Susmit00792, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Leave the batter to rest for 10 minutes. Just before frying, stir in the baking soda if using; it makes the coating lighter.
Beguni, brinjal in a crisp gram-flour batter, with a cup of tea. Photo: Susmit00792, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Heat the oil in a kadai or deep pan over medium-high heat to about 175°C.
Beguni, brinjal in a crisp gram-flour batter, with a cup of tea. Photo: Susmit00792, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Pat the aubergine slices dry with a paper towel. Dip each slice in the batter, turn to coat both sides and let the excess drip off for a second.
Beguni, brinjal in a crisp gram-flour batter, with a cup of tea. Photo: Susmit00792, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Slide 4–5 slices into the oil, without crowding. Fry for 2–3 minutes on medium heat, turn and fry for another 2 minutes, until deep golden and crisp and the aubergine is soft inside.
Night crowds on the pandal trail in Behala. Photo: Snehangshu36, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Lift the beguni out with a slotted spoon and drain on a rack or paper towels.
Beguni, brinjal in a crisp gram-flour batter, with a cup of tea. Photo: Susmit00792, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Beguni recipe: thin aubergine slices dipped in a spiced besan and rice-flour batter and fried crisp, the hot fritter served with khichuri in Durga Puja bhog.
Beguni → Next story: Bhoger khichuri: Durga Puja khichuri bhog All photo storiesMusic: Indian Folk Classical Flute Music (1), MayankSingh33, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.