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A rustic and flavorful Bihari side dish made with roasted eggplant, tomatoes, and boiled potatoes mashed with pungent mustard oil, onions, and garlic. The perfect smoky accompaniment to Litti or dal-rice.
For 4 servings
Prepare the Vegetables
Roast the Brinjal and Tomatoes
Peel and Mash
A rustic and flavorful Bihari side dish made with roasted eggplant, tomatoes, and boiled potatoes mashed with pungent mustard oil, onions, and garlic. The perfect smoky accompaniment to Litti or dal-rice.
This bihari recipe takes 40 minutes to prepare and yields 4 servings. At 187.72 calories per serving with 4.02g of protein, it's a beginner-friendly recipe perfect for side or lunch or dinner.
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Combine and Season
Final Check and Serve
A simpler version made only with boiled and mashed potatoes, mixed with the same seasonings.
Focuses solely on roasted eggplant, omitting the potatoes and tomatoes for a more intense smoky flavor.
Roast 1-2 dry red chilies along with the brinjal and tomatoes. Crush and add them to the mash for extra heat and a different flavor profile.
Add a teaspoon of your favorite mango or chili pickle masala (achaar ka masala) for an extra tangy and spicy kick.
The combination of eggplant, potatoes, and tomatoes provides a good amount of dietary fiber, which aids in digestion, promotes gut health, and helps maintain stable blood sugar levels.
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene and eggplant contains nasunin, both powerful antioxidants that help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Mustard oil is a good source of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, including omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for cardiovascular health.
The raw garlic, ginger, and lemon juice in the chokha are known for their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help strengthen the immune system.
Chokha is a traditional dish from the Indian state of Bihar. It's a rustic mash of roasted or boiled vegetables, primarily eggplant, potato, and tomato, flavored with raw onions, garlic, green chilies, and pungent mustard oil. It's famously served with Litti.
One serving of this Vegetable Chokha (approximately 1 cup or 225g) contains around 175-185 calories. The majority of the calories come from the potatoes and the mustard oil.
Yes, it is quite healthy. It's packed with vegetables, providing fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The use of mustard oil offers heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. It's a wholesome, plant-based side dish.
You can, but it will significantly alter the taste and won't be authentic. The sharp, pungent flavor of raw mustard oil is the signature characteristic of Bihari chokha. If you must substitute, use a neutral oil, but the flavor will be much milder.
If you don't have a gas stove, you can roast the vegetables on an outdoor grill for the best smoky flavor. Alternatively, you can use the broiler setting in your oven. Place the vegetables on a baking sheet and broil on high, turning them every 5-7 minutes until the skin is charred and the flesh is soft.
Vegetable Chokha is best eaten fresh on the day it is made, as it contains raw onions and garlic. However, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
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