Authentic Vangi Bath Recipe – Spicy Brinjal Rice | South Indian Style

Make this easy Vangi Bath recipe, a flavorful South Indian rice dish with spiced brinjal (eggplant) and aromatic homemade Vangi Bath powder and served along with a raita. Perfect for lunch or dinner!

Archana Doshi
Authentic Vangi Bath Recipe – Spicy Brinjal Rice | South Indian Style
5581 ratings.

Vangi Bath is a popular and flavorful South Indian rice dish made with brinjal (eggplant) and aromatic spices. This easy-to-cook recipe is perfect for lunch or dinner and brings together the rich flavors of roasted brinjal, freshly ground Vangi Bath powder, and cooked rice. Traditionally from Karnataka cuisine, Vangi Bath is a must-try for those who love spiced rice dishes. The roasted eggplant absorbs the spices beautifully, making every bite delicious. 

The key to this recipe is preparing the homemade Vangi Bath powder, which gives the dish its signature flavor. This fragrant masala blend includes coriander seeds, dried red chilies, cinnamon, cloves, and black peppercorns, adding depth to the dish. Once you have this powder ready, the recipe comes together quickly, making it a great option for busy weekdays or when you want to prepare a special meal for your family.

Whether you're a fan of eggplant or simply looking for a new way to enjoy rice, Vangi Bath offers a delightful combination of textures and spices. Plus, this dish is vegetarian, gluten-free, and packed with nutrients from eggplant, making it a healthy addition to your meal rotation.

Serve Vangi Bath with Burani Raita or any other Raita of your choice for a quick weeknight dinner or even pack it into your lunch box.

If you like this recipe, you can also try other rice recipes such as

  1. Lemon Rice
  2. Jeera Rice
  3. Beetroot Rice

Cuisine: South Karnataka
Course: Lunch
Diet: Vegetarian
Prep in

10 M

Cooks in

20 M

Total in

30 M

Makes:

4 Servings

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Seeraga (Jeeraga) Samba rice , washed
  • 1 Brinjal (Baingan / Eggplant) , finely chopped
  • Salt , to taste
  • 3 tablespoons Sesame (Gingelly) Oil , for cooking
  • 1 teaspoon Mustard seeds (Rai/ Kadugu)
  • 1/4 teaspoon Asafoetida (hing)
  • 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder (Haldi)
  • 1 Curry leaves
  • For Vangi bath Powder:
  • 1 tablespoon White Urad Dal (Split)
  • 1 tablespoon Chana dal (Bengal Gram Dal)
  • 2 tablespoons Coriander (Dhania) Seeds
  • 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds (Jeera)
  • 1 tablespoons Sesame seeds (Til seeds)
  • 1/4 teaspoon Methi Seeds (Fenugreek Seeds)
  • 3 Dry Red Chilli
  • 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder (Haldi)
  • 1 Curry leaves

How to make Authentic Vangi Bath Recipe – Spicy Brinjal Rice | South Indian Style

  1. We begin making the Vangi Bath/ Brinjal Rice Recipe, we will start by roasting of vangi bath spice powder. 

  2. Place a pan on medium heat and add the urad dal and channa dal and roast the dals on medium heat until it becomes golden and crisp.  To this add the remaining ingredients, like coriander seeds, cumin seeds, sesame seeds, methi seeds and red chilli. Road them well well until you get a good aroma and the seeds start crackling. This will take about 3 to 4 minutes.

  3. The most important is that the rice must be fluffy and separated. Tossing in some oil after it is cooked, will help keep the rice from sticking to eachother.

  4. Once the spices are roasted, allow it to cool down and then blend it in a spice grinder to make a smooth vangi bath powder. Blend the spices in the Zodiac spice mixer grinder

  5. If you have some cooked rice, ensure you have at least 2 cups of cooked rice.  Else add the washed rice to the pressure cooker along with 2-1/4 cups of water and pressure cook for 2 whistles on high heat.

  6. Next turn the heat to low and simmer for 3 minutes and turn off the heat. Allow the pressure to release naturally. Open the cooker and allow the rice to have cooled down completely.

  7. Note: Using jeera samba rice or gobind bhog rice makes this vangi bath taste even better. 

  8. The next step is to make the vangi bath. Heat oil in a large kadai  or a pan over medium heat; add the mustard seeds and allow it to crackle. Once it crackles, add the curry leaves, asafoetida, the brinjal and sprinkle of salt.

  9. Cover the pan and saute the brinjal until soft and tender. This will take about 5 to 8 minutes.

  10. Next add the turmeric powder and the vangi bath spice mix and stir fry for another couple of minutes. Finally stir in the cooked rice, along with the salt and drizzle a little more sesame oil or ghee.

  11. Toss the Vangi Bath together until the rice is well combined along with the Vangi Bath Masala. Check the salt and adjust to suit your taste. Once done, turn off the heat and transfer the Vangi Bath/ Brinjal Rice to serving bowl and serve hot.

  12. Serve Vangi Bath/ Brinjal Rice with Burani Raita or any other Raita of your choice for a quick weeknight dinner or even pack it into your lunch box.