Begun Bhorta (Smoky Bangladeshi Eggplant Mash)
Local name: বেগুন ভর্তা
In short: Eggplant charred over a flame, mashed with raw onion, green chili, cilantro and pungent mustard oil, a smoky side for rice and dal. It takes about 30 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Resting
- 10 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 115 kcal
A bhorta is a mash, and begun bhorta is the smoky eggplant version eaten with rice in Bangladeshi homes every week. The eggplants are charred whole over an open flame until the skin blackens and the flesh turns soft and smoky, then mashed with raw onion, green chili, cilantro and a generous pour of pungent mustard oil. It is simple, spicy and bold, and takes under 40 minutes. Serve it alongside dal and plain rice.
Instructions
- Rub the eggplants with 1 teaspoon of the mustard oil and prick them in several places with a fork.
- Char them directly over a gas flame or under a very hot broiler, turning every 3 to 4 minutes, for 15 to 20 minutes, until the skin is blackened and the flesh has collapsed.
- Put them in a bowl and cover with a plate for 10 minutes to loosen the skin. Peel off the charred skin, keeping all the smoky flesh.
- Mash the flesh roughly with a fork on a plate, discarding the stems and any tough bits.
- Mix in the onion, green chilies, garlic, cilantro, salt and the remaining mustard oil, and add lemon juice if you like. Toast the dried chilies in a dry pan for 15 seconds until dark, crumble them on top and serve with rice and dal.
Tips
- No gas flame? Roast the eggplants at 230°C (450°F) for 40 minutes, then broil for a minute or two to char the skin. The smoke flavor will be lighter.
- If you only have neutral oil, add a pinch of ground mustard seed to get some of the traditional sharpness.
Questions and answers
What is a bhorta?
A bhorta is a Bangladeshi mash of a vegetable, fish or dried fish with raw onion, chilies and mustard oil. Potato, tomato and dried fish bhortas are also very popular.
How do I get a smoky flavor indoors?
Char the eggplant directly over a gas burner, turning often, or use a grill pan on your hottest burner. An oven or broiler gives less smokiness.
Is begun bhorta very spicy?
The raw green chilies make it hot. Remove their seeds or use only one chili for a milder mash.
How long does it take to make Begun Bhorta (Smoky Bangladeshi Eggplant Mash)?
About 30 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Begun Bhorta (Smoky Bangladeshi Eggplant Mash)?
About 115 kcal per serving, with 2 g of protein, 10 g of carbohydrates and 7 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 115 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 10 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 300 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
