Description
Borani Banjan is a vibrant Middle Eastern dish that features layers of crispy fried eggplant, a spiced tomato sauce, and a refreshing herbed yogurt. This colorful meal is not only visually stunning but also packed with flavor, making it an ideal choice for dinner parties or cozy nights in. The combination of textures and tastes elevates any dining experience, ensuring it’s a crowd-pleaser at any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs. eggplant
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 cup frying oil (canola or vegetable)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 teaspoons garlic (minced)
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper flakes
- 14 oz. canned diced tomatoes
- 4 teaspoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1 cup unsweetened plant-based yogurt
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 teaspoons mint (minced)
- 2 teaspoons parsley (minced)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Parsley leaves
- Dried mint
- Red onion (very finely minced)
Instructions
- Prepare the Eggplant: Slice eggplants, sprinkle with salt, and let sit in a colander for 30 minutes to draw out moisture. Rinse and pat dry.
- Fry the Eggplant: Heat frying oil in a skillet. Fry eggplant slices until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels.
- Make the Tomato Sauce: In a saucepan, heat olive oil and sauté garlic with spices for one minute. Add tomatoes and simmer for about 8 minutes until thickened.
- Prepare Herbed Yogurt: Mix plant-based yogurt with lemon zest, minced garlic, chopped mint, parsley, and salt in a bowl.
- Assemble the Dish: Layer herbed yogurt, tomato sauce, and fried eggplant in a serving dish. Top with additional sauce and yogurt.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 200g)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg