Karaikudi Kathirikai Thokku | Karaikudi Style Brinjal Fry | Gluten Free and Vegan Recipe

Hi Supermoms,

Kathirikkai/Brinjal/Aubergine is my husband's favourite vegetable. So, I make it a point to try various dishes using this vegetable. Though Gutti Vankaya Koora,  is his most favourite way of enjoying brinjal, this Chettinad Style fry is a close second. Spicy, tangy and tasty Kathirikkai thokku tastes best when mixed with hot rice and ghee. 

The recipe is not complicated but still requires  patience as slow cooking brings out the best flavours in this dish. The onions have to fry well. The brinjal can be deep fried or pan fried so that they retain taste and texture when mixed with the tomatoes. If you have brinjal lovers at home, this is a must try recipe . 

It is interesting to note that  over the years I have come across people who are either brinjal lovers or haters. There is no mid way 😅. 

Karaikudi Kathirikai Thokku : 

Preparation time : 10 minutes

Cooking time : 40-45 minutes

Serves : 4

1 cup = 250 ml cup 

Ingredients :

1/2 kg brinjal ( I used small size purple ones)( Cut them into thin slices )

1 red onion ( finely chopped)

1 teaspoon red chilli powder ( adjust)

1/8 teaspoon turmeric powder

2 tablespoons oil ( I used sesame oil)

salt to taste 

To grind :

1 large tomato ( chopped)

1 red onion ( peeled and chopped)

10 small garlic cloves ( peeled)

1/2 " ginger ( peeled and roughly chopped)

To temper :

1 teaspoon oil

4 cloves

1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds

1 sprig curry leaves 

Method :

1. Heat a kadai/small wok with oil and add the cut brinjal.

Chef tip : keep the cut brinjal in water to avoid any discolouration.

2. Keep frying them over low/medium flame till they fry well on all sides.

Chef tip : This step will take 20-25 minutes.

3. In the mean time, add all the ingredients given under 'to grind' into the jar of a mixer and make a smooth paste.

4. Heat a pan or a earthen vessel with oil  and temper with the ingredients given under 'to temper'. 

5. Add the finely chopped onions , red chilli , turmeric powder and allow the onions to fry till they are slightly brown.

6. Add the ground mixture , salt and cook over low flame for 6-7 minutes or till the time the extra moisture is absorbed. 

7. Add the fried brinjal and mix well.

8. Cook over low flame for 3-4 minutes and switch off.

Your delicious Karaikudi Kathirikai Thokku is now ready to be served !

Also do try the tasty Dindukal Kathirikai Kurma recipe .

Happy Cooking !

With love,

Masterchefmom