(VEG) Begun Bhaja (Oven Fried Eggplant)

This recipe is best for those who are watching their calorie intake and also great way of introducing vegetables to the kids, because through past experience, I have noticed that kids love to eat vegetables prepared this way.

The traditional Bengali version of this dish is deep fried. But this one is cooked in the oven. (As a matter of fact most of my vegetable dishes are oven fried - including cauliflower, potatoes, sweet potatoes, bitter gourd...)

Take an eggplant, make sure it is not full of seeds.

Tip the best way of judging a good eggplant - it should be light, shiny, and firm. (I learnt this from a seller at a Farmer's Market).

Cut the eggplant into half inch thick circles, brush it with vegetable oil and sprinkle salt on both sides of the cut pieces. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray. arrange the eggplant pieces. Preheat oven to about 500 F (140 C). Put the baking sheet in the center shelf of the oven and let it bake until you see the top part brown in color. (Make it brown according to your choice. Note that the side in contact with the sheet gets brown earlier so keep an eye on it and turn it over if needed. In my oven it takes six to seven minutes to get to the degree of brownness that I prefer).

You may like to serve it with luchi. (I have shown how to make luchi here )
Tip bake multiple vegetables together that includes zucchini, bell peppers, potatoes and onions and you can prepare lovely grilled vegetable sandwiches.