Eggplant rice (Vangi bath)

There are various methods of making vangi bath. Eggplant can be cooked in tamarind water or deep fried in oil before combining it with rice and other spices. Some people prefer to add onion and grated coconut to this rice. Sometimes sambhar powder is also added to give it a different flavour. However, I make this rice with puliyodarai paste and puliyodarai powder that I stock in good quantity. Hence, I prepare this rice, when I am short of time. It can be packed in lunch boxes for school going children as an alternative/supplement to curd rice.


Ingredients:
Cooked white rice - 2cups
Bottle eggplant -1
Turmeric powder -1tsp
Puliyodarai paste -2tsps
Puliyodarai powder -4tsps
Salt and oil -As required

For garnishing
Roasted peanuts -1/4cup

                                     Eggplant before rice is added
Method:
Grind the peanuts coarsely. Keep it aside. Cube the eggplant. Dilute the puliyodarai paste with one cup of water. Add the eggplant pieces and turmeric powder. Cook till it is soft. Then, add the puliyodarai powder, little oil and salt. Cook for few seconds. Next, stir in the rice till it is well blended. Garnish with peanut powder. Serve it with any pachadi of you choice.

Note: Adding sesame oil gives a distinct flavour to this rice. Adjust the puliyodarai paste and puliyodarai powder such that the end product is well balanced.