Eggplants are one of our top favorite veggies and they are especially divine in Indian dishes like baingan bharta, baingan masala and bagara baingan. Yet one more favorite is vegan dahi baingan or dahi wale baingan, which I want to share with you here. Dahi is yogurt in hindi, and baingan is eggplant, and just like it sounds, this is a dish that marries together yogurt and eggplants in one memorable dish. It’s simple but flavor-packed, with creamy, silky eggplant pieces in a creamy, silky yogurt gravy accompanied by garam masala, kasoori methi and a few other simple spices and herbs. It’s the perfect side to serve with a plain dal and rice, or to scoop up with a vegan naan or roti. And because it’s not too spicy, even those with the most sensitive tastebuds can handle it.
Why you’ll love vegan dahi baingan
Delicious. If you love Indian food this dahi baingan has all the right flavors to tickle your tastebuds into a tasty frenzy. Vegan but authentic. If you are already familiar with dahi baingan, this is a great way to continue enjoying your favorite dish without involving animals–and the accompanying cholesterol. I use my homemade cultured yogurt in this recipe which is a perfect substitute for dairy yogurt, flavorwise, with all of the probiotic benefit. For ease, you can use a storebought vegan yogurt. A great way to use seasonal eggplants. Between July and October is when these amazing veggies are at their peak, and this is a great time to eat them. Healthy. Eggplants are great for you. They are packed with vitamins and fiber and so many antioxidant benefits. And the yogurt has great probiotic benefits. Because the yogurt I use is nut-based, it is packed with proteins and fiber as well. Everyone friendly. The dahi baingan is gluten-free and soy-free and you can use a nut-free yogurt, like coconut or soy yogurt, to make it nut-free.
How to make vegan dahi baingan
Serving suggestions
Serve this with white rice or brown rice and dal, like a tomato dal. If you are growing tomatoes, try this seasonal and delicious south Indian style green tomato dal, which would complement this north Indian dahi baingan perfectly. You can also use a vegan naan to scoop up the dahi baingan, or a roti, like this sourdough roti.
More yummy eggplant recipes
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