Baingan Ka Raita

August 5, 2015mayurisjikoni
Blog post

Recipe: Baingan Ka Raita /Roasted Eggplant in Yogurt

Baingan Ka Raita or Eggplant Yogurt Dip is a delicious, yogurt based side dish. Eggplants are roasted and added to plain thick yogurt along with spices. It is usually served with biryani, pulao or as a part of a thali meal.

What Is A Raita?

Indeed, raita is a vital yogurt based side dish in the Indian Cuisine. Raw or cooked vegetables, fruits are added to plain yogurt. In addition, spices added varies from region to region and households too. Of course, raita is served with biryani, pulao, other rice dishes, kebabs, tikkas, etc. Also served as a part of a main meal along with curries, vegetable side dishes, flatbread, dessert, etc. Personally, I love to have raita with stuffed parathas. However, most restaurants like to serve a simple raita with boondi added to it. Boondi is deep fried chickpea flour balls. Simple spices like chilli and cumin powder are added.

Furthermore, raita can easily be enjoyed on its own like a salad. In fact that is what I like to have during the summer season as it is not only cooling and refreshing but filling too. Therefore, let your imagination run riot and add whatever you like to your raita. There are no fixed rules to making a raita. Generally, this delicious yogurt dish is known as pachadi in South India.

Did you know that raitas are pretty versatile? Yes, they are. Use it as a dip with starters like kebabs, as a sauce for grilled meats and fish, as a dressing for salads. As I mentioned it is also served with hot parathas.

Some Raita Recipes You May Want To Check Out

Please click on the name of the raita for the recipe.

Cucumber and Pomegranate Raita

Grated Cucumber and Pomegranate in yogurt taste so good. I love to enjoy this raita with parathas.

Banana Cucumber Raita

I have grown up enjoying this raita. My mum would always prepare this whenever she made Tuvar Ni Dar. I like to enjoy it as a cooling and filling salad.

Apple & Cucumber Raita

I love having this raita during fasting days like Ekadashi and Navratri. Check out the simple recipe below in the picture. It contains ingredients that one can have during fasting. Remember to use rock salt or sendha namak only.

Vendakkai Pacahdi | Okra Raita

Okra happens to be one of Sandhya’s  family favorite vegetable and this vendakkai / okra raita is something she has loved since she was a kid. Sandhya has used an air fryer to make the thin slices of okra crispy. This for sure makes it a healthy raita to enjoy.

Drumstick Flowers Raita |Swanjhre Jo Raito

Swanjhro (drumstick flowers) is one of the edible flowers used in the Sindhi Cuisine to make many dishes. Raita is one of them. It is a delicacy which is made in all Sindhi homes including Shobha’s. However, these flowers are only available in winter.

Beetroot Potato Pomegranate Raita

Is an easy to make, gluten free colourful yogurt dip, that is made with very unique ingredients. Lata suggests that if you are bored of eating regular raita, add some delicious and flavorful twist to your favorite curd by making this raita.

Potato and Pumpkin Leaf Raita

Pumpkin leaf and potato raita is a unique recipe often made at the homes of pumpkin growers like Seema. Adding fresh tender pumpkin leaves to the raita is an excellent way to enjoy the health benefits that they provide. Just like spinach, they are a rich source of iron, vitamins and calcium.

Spinach Raita

Sujata likes to prepare this raita and serves it with stuffed parathas. In fact this is her daughter’s favourite raita. It sure is a good way to get kids to enjoy the health benefits of spinach.

Vegetable Boondi Raita

Vegetable Boondi Raita is seasoned yoghurt with herbs and vegetables. Fine bits of carrots and capsicum speckle this flavourful yoghurt along with fried tiny balls of gram flour batter. Neha likes this refreshing raita with rice or rotis, or simply on its own.

 

Nasturtium Leaves and Stems Raita

Nasturtium leaves raita is a fresh and light raita or dip, bursting with a peppery and tangy taste from Nasturtium and yogurt. Renu actually grows them in her garden so they are not only organic, but she can make this cooling and unique raita throughout summer.

Coriander With Blistered Tomato Raita

Have you ever tried baked tomatoes in a raita? I haven’t but this recipe Preethi is a must try. Waiting for the summer season to get some tomatoes on a vine. Easy to make and very eye catching.

 

Memories:

The first time ever I tasted baingan ka raita was when my late sister in law Sonal made it. At first, for a person who has grown up enjoying Banana Cucumber Raita, eggplant one didn’t not sound appealing at all. She coaxed me to taste a teeny weeny bit. I did and wow, was I totally floored! I learned the recipe from her and have not stopped making it ever since. So basically, this recipe is a tribute to her. Miss you so much dear bhabhi.

Ingredients Required For Baingan Ka Raita / Roasted Eggplant In Yogurt

  • Eggplant

Also known as baingan, ringad, brinjal, aubergine. Eggplant is roasted. When I can, I like to roast it over charcoal. However, that is not always possible, so I either roast it over gas flame or in the oven. If you roast it over fire, you will need to rub off the skin. When roasted in the oven, it is easy to scoop out the flesh or peel the skin away.

  • Plain Yogurt

Best to use thick and not watery yogurt. Homemade or store bought, both work well. Just make sure it is not too sour. Also for a smooth consistency, whisk the yogurt first before adding other ingredients.

  • Oil

Use any of your choice. I have used sunflower oil. Use it rub over the eggplant before roasting. Also need some for cooking the onion, garlic, ginger and green chilli pastes.

  • Asafetida

Known as hing in Hindi. Highly recommend adding it if you have some. However, for a gluten free raita, don’t add asafetida as most powdered ones have wheat flour mixed in it. If you have pure asafetida then use that.

  • Onion – use any, white, yellow or red. Peel and chop finely.
  • Garlic – peel and chop finely or minced.
  • Green Chillis – use in the paste form or chop them finely. Use according to your taste.
  • Ginger – peel and grate it finely or use in paste form.
  • Fenugreek Seeds – methi dana. Adds a delightful flavour.
  • Mustard Seeds – rai.
  • Cumin Seeds – jeera , jiru.
  • Salt – add according to your taste.
  • Red Chilli Powder – use according to your taste.
  • Fresh Coriander/ Cilantro – washed and finely chopped. Chop also the tender stems as that is where all the flavour is.

Watch How To Make Baingan Ka Raita

 

 

 

BAINGAN RAITA / ROASTED EGGPLANT IN YOGURT

mayurisjikoni
Baingan Ka Raita or Eggplant Yogurt Dip is a delicious, yogurt based side dish. Eggplants are roasted and added to plain thick yogurt along with spices.
5 from 13 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course dip, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine Indian
Servings 2

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 large eggplant approx 200g
  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 2 tbsp onion finely chopped
  • 1 tsp garlic finely chopped
  • ½ - 1 tsp green chilli paste
  • 1 tsp ginger paste
  • 2 tbsp fresh coriander chopped
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp mustard seeds
  • 4-6 fenugreek seeds
  • tsp asafoetida
  • ½ tsp red chilli powder

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 200°C.
  • Wash the eggplant, cut off the stem part and cut it into half.
  • Line a baking sheet with aluminium foil or parchment paper.
  • Place the eggplant half on the sheet, cut side down.
  • Brush oil over the eggplant. Roast the eggplant in the oven for 25 -30 minutes.
  • Remove the eggplant from the oven. The flesh should have becomes soft.
  • Let the eggplant cool a bit. Peel off the skin or scoop out the flesh.
  • Mash the eggplant lightly.
  • Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan over low to medium heat.
  • Add fenugreek and then the mustard and cumin seeds.
  • Add the chopped onion and stir fry till it becomes a bit soft.
  • Add garlic and stir fry for a few seconds.
  • Add ginger and chilli pastes. Mix well.
  • Add red chilli powder and mix.
  • Add the mashed eggplant.
  • Add salt and mix well.
  • Cool the eggplant mixture a bit.
  • Whisk the yogurt to a smooth consistency.
  • Add the eggplant mixture. Mix well.
  • Garnish with fresh coriander and red chilli powder.

Notes

  • Add chopped chilli instead of chilli paste.
  • Adjust the spices according to your taste.
  • Add chopped pomegranate arils to the raita if you have any.
  • Don't add hot eggplant mixture to the yogurt as the yogurt will curdle. Allow the mixture to cool down.
  • Roast the eggplant over a flame if possible. It adds a smoky flavour.
Keyword baingan ka raita, brinjal raita, eggplant raita, roasted eggplant in yogurt

Pin For Later

A little request:

If you do try this recipe then please either

  • add a comment below,
  • send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
  • tag me as #mayuri_jikoni on Instagram
  • or tag me on Twitter as #Mayuri1962

 

 

37 Comments

  • Herbs Spices and Tradition

    August 6, 2015 at 6:45 pm

    This is my favorite raita, I like anything with eggplant, red colour of tadka looks very nice.
    Your post is really nice, I agree with you that we should appreciate everything we have in life.

  • Beulah – FullScoops

    August 7, 2015 at 12:56 pm

    This raita looks fabulous! So thick and creamy!
    Yes, appreciation builds the other person's self esteem. And you are one of the best in appreciating someone else's work! Thank you for the kind words you write in my space!

  • Mayuri Patel

    August 7, 2015 at 5:27 pm

    Thank you very much Sadhna.

  • Mayuri Patel

    August 7, 2015 at 5:28 pm

    Thank you Beulah. Bloggers are the biggest support for each other.

  • Priya

    August 14, 2015 at 4:01 pm

    I love baigan and usually make curry with it. Got to try raita now!

  • Krithika Chandrasekar

    August 14, 2015 at 4:31 pm

    Interesting…we usually make Okra raita…this is new 🙂

  • Madiha Nawaz

    August 14, 2015 at 4:39 pm

    I love baingen raita and this is something that we prepare quite often during summers!
    Thanks so much for sharing!

  • Shobha

    August 14, 2015 at 4:46 pm

    I made it once too.. loved it .. a treat for baigan lovers.

  • Sandhya Rege Nadkarni

    August 14, 2015 at 7:07 pm

    I love baingan raita but had never made one with the tempering. This looks delicious and you are right- it is perfect for the summer!

  • Molly Kumar

    August 14, 2015 at 11:24 pm

    I love eggplants and raita is always such a delight – Thanks for sharing 🙂

  • Pie Rivera

    August 16, 2015 at 6:29 pm

    I can't wait to try this recipe for my mom, she loves eggplants and I ran out of ideas for eggplant dishes 🙂

  • Renu

    February 27, 2022 at 3:24 pm

    5 stars
    I was recently going to make this raita but did not make it as was not sure, now wit your reviews and fool proof recipes sounds like a must try. Awesome raita recipes shared, I would love to try the tomato one , something different and the pumpkin leaf raita.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      February 27, 2022 at 6:02 pm

      Thank you Renu, I am waiting for summer as that is the time I make raita or chaas everyday. So many unusual ones to try out, including your nasturtium one.

  • Usha Rao

    February 27, 2022 at 5:02 pm

    5 stars
    I am always looking for new raita recipes and had to try this. I usually roast eggplant in the pan but oven roasting gave the raita a different flavor. Loved it!!

    1. mayurisjikoni

      February 27, 2022 at 5:59 pm

      Thank you so much Usha, sometimes I grill the roasted eggplant with cut side up for a few minutes for that extra roasted flavour.

  • Priya vj

    February 28, 2022 at 7:47 am

    5 stars
    My grandma used to love this baingan raita which we call as kathrikaai pachadi . She would request my mom to make it for her sans O n G . Thanks for reminding this delicious recipe to me which I had forgotten

    1. mayurisjikoni

      February 28, 2022 at 8:18 pm

      Thanks Priya, enjoy baingan raita when you make it.

  • Neha

    March 1, 2022 at 5:50 am

    5 stars
    This Baingan k Raita looks so splendid. I was quite surprised at how baingan can be mixed it curd. But this recipe has done full justice. I too will try this Great post!

    1. mayurisjikoni

      March 1, 2022 at 11:47 pm

      Thanks Neha,baingan and yogurt tastes really good, try it.

  • Sujata Roy

    March 1, 2022 at 6:42 am

    5 stars
    I love raita but never tasted baigan ka raita. Raita looks so inviting. Loved the idea of roasting brinjal in oven. Now I am waiting to get baigan tomorrow. Can’t wait to try this tempting raita. And also loved all the raita recipes here. Thanks for including mine.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      March 1, 2022 at 11:45 pm

      Thanks Sujata, try it am sure you’ll like it. I’ve often had the Kashmiri version where mustard oil is added with shahi jeera and green chillis.

  • Mina Joshi

    March 1, 2022 at 8:12 am

    5 stars
    Your baigan raita looks so delicious. I love the way you have presented it too. The raita reminds me of my dad who loved this. Mind you his recipe was very basic – add lasun vari chutney to the mashed aubergine and then yogurt !! It was a typical farmers meal with rotlas.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      March 1, 2022 at 11:43 pm

      Thank you so much Mina, i learned how to make this type of baingan raita from my bhabhi. Your dad’s version too is interesting. Will try it out soon and that too with rotla.

  • Jayashree T.Rao

    March 1, 2022 at 8:36 am

    5 stars
    Baingan ka raita is one of my favourite dish, have many wonderful memories associated with it. It makes a good accompaniment with jowar roti too.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      March 1, 2022 at 11:41 pm

      Thanks Jayashree, will have to try the raita with jowar roti.

  • Seema Sriram

    March 1, 2022 at 5:15 pm

    5 stars
    Made this baigan raita today and it is such a soothing recipe. Love it. We have just made some steamed rice and aloo palak to have with it.
    Thank you for adding my recipe to your wonderful collection.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      March 1, 2022 at 11:38 pm

      Thank you so much Seema and youre welcome. Am glad you enjoyed the raita.

  • Archana

    March 1, 2022 at 8:46 pm

    5 stars
    Baigan raita is by far my favourite ratia. I make it often I love the addition of garlic and ginger in the raita. I will definitely make your style soon for it is very hot here.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      March 1, 2022 at 11:37 pm

      Thank you Archana. Am sure you’ll enjoy it.

  • Rinku

    March 2, 2022 at 12:56 am

    5 stars
    Love the idea of this eggplant raita. Since I always have eggplant on hand, thank you for sharing so many interesting recipes for a variety of raitas. Now I know where to get inspiration, when I have extra yogurt.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      March 2, 2022 at 6:05 pm

      Thanks Rinku. Enjoy the raitas when you try them out.

  • Kalyani

    March 2, 2022 at 2:39 am

    5 stars
    being a largely eggplant loving family, we would love to make this differently delicious baingan raita. paired with some pulav / biryani. lovely collage of unusual raitas there, Mayuri !

    1. mayurisjikoni

      March 2, 2022 at 6:03 pm

      Thank you so much Kalyani. Am sure the family will love the raita, try it out.

  • Maria

    March 29, 2022 at 11:51 am

    5 stars
    I make a simpler version of this raita with just garlic, salt, pepper and cumin. I’m loving the addition of all the spices in your recipe. Next time definitely trying it your way.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      March 29, 2022 at 9:02 pm

      Thank you so much Maria. As I mentioned in the write up, it is my late bhabhi’s recipe. Have made it exactly the way she use to.

  • Azlin Bloor

    March 31, 2022 at 4:21 am

    5 stars
    I love yoghurt side dishes, Mayuri. And this eggplant raita looks really, really mouth watering, with all those tangy and spicy flavours.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      March 31, 2022 at 1:58 pm

      Thank you so much Azlin, go ahead and try it. Hubby and I love it.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Previous Post Next Post

Example Colors