RCI -Gutti Vankaya Kura ( Stuffed Eggplant Sabji)

Gutti Vankaya Kura ( Stuffed Eggplant Sabji)Noting personifies Andhra food like Guttivankaya Kura, this dish makes its presence on all the major occasions or events in the house holds of Andhra Pradesh, be it something as big as a wedding or as small as party celebrated at home.

This will be my entry to RCI (Regional Cuisines of India), which was started by Lakshmi of Veggi Cuisine and is being hosted by Latha of MasalaMagic

Few other interesting, famous and non-food related items that would glorify this state would be

1.Kondapalli Bommalu
These toys are made of wood and colored in beautiful bright colors in a village called Kondapalli. All the toys are made of wood and natural dyes. Growing up I used to played with their kitchen set made of wood and boxed in a container made of dried coconut leaves

(Images courtesy Lepakshi)

2.Gadwal,Venkata giri and Pochampalli sarees
These are made from pure cotton and I believe as they get worn they turn to get softer and softer. These make beat the scorching heat of AP. These can range from being utmost simple to utmost exotic and pricey.

4.Kalamkari Fabrics

The Kalamkari is a fabric famous all over the world for its beautiful vegetable colors used on the clothes, mostly depicting mythological designs and patterns.This art form is found at Machilipatnam in Andhra pradesh. More info can be found here
http://www.kalamkariart.org/

Photo courtesy http://www.exoticindiaart.com

5.Kuchipudi Dance
Kuchipudi, the indigenous style of dance of Andhra Pradesh, was born in the village of Kuchelapuri or Kuchelapuram, from which it takes its name.

(Image courtesy Google Image search)

6.Bapu's Paintings
Bapu is a renonouned artist who's art depicts the perfect represantation of all things Andhra Pradesh be it a beautiful belle from a village to a dance form or an emotion , the use of his colors, fauna and flora truly show cases the beauty of Andhra pradesh. He truly showcases AP at its best through his art

(Image courtesy The Hindu)

And now coming to today's recipe
Ingredients
1 lb bringal/egg plant ( usually the small black colored ones)
tamrind size of quarter
haldi
salt

1.In a microwaveable bowl, mix tamrind ,salt and haldi and add water , it should be enough to cover all the brinjals
2.slit brinjals in the middle, careful not to break it
3.add these slit brinjals into the tamrind water and microwave for 10-15 minutes until done
4.remove from the bowl and pat dry and place of a tissue paper to remove excess water


For stuffing
2 tbsp Urad dal
2 tbsp Channa dal
1 tbsp Dhania
1 tbsp sesame seeds
4-5 Chilies
handful of Peanuts
1 and 1/2 Onion cut into cubes

1.Fry all the ingredients in a pan without adding oil,once it starts to turn brown remove from heat and grind into a fine powder
2.in the same pan add onion and fry till translucent
3.now add onion in the mixer and add the above powder and salt
grind into a fine paste

Finishing
1.Stuff the above paste in the boiled and slit brinjals
2. take a pan add 1 tbsp of oil and when hot add the stuffed brinjals one by one
3. turn the brinjals and add oil again till all sides are brown

Serve hot with rice , tastes good with roti's too
Hope you have enjoyed a mini cultural tour of Andhra Pradesh