Ringal Bataka na Ravaiya
Author: 
Cuisine: Gujarati
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 4
 
The stuffed vegetables are known as Ravaiya or bharelu skaak.
Ingredients
  • 4 small ringan (Indian eggplant)
  • 4 small red or yellow bataka (potatoes)
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon brown mustard seeds
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
  • ¼ teaspoon asafetida or 1 clove of garlic, finely minced
  • 3 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped, divided
Stuffing:
  • ¼ cup chickpea flour
  • 3 tablespoons ground peanuts (optional)
  • ¼ cup dhana-jeeru (spice blend of ground coriander and cumin)
  • 2 teaspoons salt or to taste
  • 4 teaspoons sugar or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • ¼ teaspoon garam masala
  • ¼ teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 serrano or jalapeno pepper, finely minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
Directions
  1. Wash eggplants and potatoes, and pat dry. Make an X cut on ⅓ of eggplant on stemless side, keeping the stem. Make an X cut on ⅓ of potato on one side. Repeat the same with rest of eggplants and potatoes.
  2. Combine stuffing ingredients plus 2 tablespoons of cilantro into a medium mixing bowl. Gently widen an eggplant and stuff it by gently pushing stuffing down by hand. Try not to break it and not over stuffed it. Repeat the same with rest of eggplants and potatoes. If any stuffing remains, keep it aside.
  3. In a large non-stick pan, heat oil on a medium high heat, about 2 minutes. Once oil is hot, add cumin seeds and let them sizzle. Add mustard seeds and let them sizzle. Add asafetida or garlic. With garlic, sauté it for a minute. Lower the heat and arrange stuffed eggplants and potatoes in a pan in a single layer. Increase heat to medium, cover the pan and let vegetables cook until tender, 12 to 15 minutes, stirring gently few times. Sprinkle any remaining stuffing on top of the vegetables during half way of cooking.
  4. Garnish with remaining cilantro before serving. Serve warm with any Indian flat bread.
Easier Method:
  1. Cut eggplants and potatoes into quarters.
  2. Combine stuffing ingredients plus 2 tablespoons of cilantro into a medium mixing bowl.
  3. In a large non-stick pan, heat oil on a medium high heat, about 2 minutes. Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle. Add mustard seeds and let them sizzle. Add asafetida or garlic. With garlic, sauté it for a minute. Lower the heat and arrange eggplants and potatoes in a pan in a single layer. Increase heat to medium, cover the pan and let vegetables cook for 5 minutes. Uncover pan, stir the vegetables and sprinkle stuffing on top of the vegetables evenly. Cover the pan and let vegetables cook until tender, 7 to 8 minutes, stirring gently few times.
  4. Garnish with remaining cilantro before serving. Serve warm with any Indian flat bread.
Recipe by Lovely Masala at http://www.lovelymasala.com/ravaiya-bharelu-shaak/