To marinate aubergine: in a bowl add plain yogurt, curry powder, paprika powder 🌶️, ginger garlic paste, fresh red chillies chopped, finely chopped coriander & mint leaves 🌱and salt 🧂mix well and keep aside. If using garam masala powder and spices mentioned above,omit curry powder & paprika powder Cut aubergines 🍆 into plus (+) on the bottom making sure not to cut it all the way through, add slit aubergines into the marinate, mix cover and keep for 35 mins.

Soak soya nuggets in hot water for 10 mins, then drain and squeeze out the water 💦. Heat oil and fry the soaked soya nuggets till golden brown, remove and keep aside. In same oil add ghee, when hot, add cardamoms, bay leaf 🌱, cinnamon sticks, cumin seeds and cloves, cook for 30 secs or until fragrant, add sliced onions 🧅 cook till golden, add ginger garlic paste cook for 30 secs.

Add marinated aubergines along with all of the yogurt mix well, lower the heat to medium low and cook till the aubergines 🍆are tender about 10 -15 mins, add fried soya nuggets, slit green chillies and cook 3 mins and add boiled plain rice 🍚 mix gently, make sure that the aubergines 🍆 stay intact, cover and cook for 5 mins for the flavors to mingle, garnish with chopped coriander & mint leaves 🌱. Serve with indian mixed curd, lentils and curry.