Brain Masala Recipe (Tawa Style, 300 g Brain)
This is the tawa-style brain masala we filmed at a Karachi restaurant. The brain cooks with ginger garlic paste, ghee, tomatoes and green chillies under a lid, is then broken up and fried in oil with coriander and garam masala, finished with yogurt and, at the very end, black pepper and a little more garam masala. The video gives some amounts; the others are not stated and are marked in the recipe card.
Serves: 2 | Prep: 10 min | Cook: about 25 min
Difficulty: Easy (our estimate) | Best for: Eid, breakfast with naan, dinner
Heat level: medium (our estimate)
Watch the Brain Masala Video
What Makes This Brain Masala Different
Steamed under a lid. The brain, tomatoes and green chillies are covered for 7-8 minutes so they cook in their own steam.
Black pepper at the end. 1 tsp of black pepper and 1/2 tsp of garam masala go in last. If they go in early the dish turns dark.
Cooked on a flat tawa. The wide hot surface lets the masala dry quickly into a thick, oily gravy.
Ingredient Notes
- Brain: 300 g, washed well.
- Tomatoes: 3-4, added whole or halved.
- Green chillies: 6 small ones.
| Ingredient | 300 g brainserves 2 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brain masala | ||
| brain | 300 g | |
| ghee | 1 tbsp | |
| tomatoes | 3-4 | |
| green chillies | 6 small | |
| ginger garlic paste | not stated | amount not stated |
| salt | to taste | to taste |
| cooking oil | not stated | amount not stated |
| coriander powder | not stated | amount not stated |
| garam masala | not stated | amount not stated |
| yogurt | not stated | amount not stated |
| Added last | ||
| black pepper | 1 tsp | |
| garam masala | 1/2 tsp | |
| fresh coriander and ginger | not stated | to garnish |
Amounts are from the video and recipe card. Items marked * are our estimate.
How to Make Brain Masala
1. Start the brain
Put the brain, ginger garlic paste and ghee on the tawa and let the brain start to cook.
2. Add tomatoes and chillies
Add the tomatoes, green chillies and salt, cover and cook for 7-8 minutes, adding water on the side if needed.
3. Break up the brain and add the oil
Add the cooking oil, saute for 1-2 minutes and mix well so the brain breaks up.
4. Add the spices
Add the coriander powder and garam masala and fry for 1 minute, then add the yogurt and mix well for 2-3 minutes.
5. Finish with black pepper
Add 1 tsp of black pepper and 1/2 tsp of garam masala at the very end, mix well, and garnish with ginger julienne and fresh coriander.
Brain Masala Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Put the brain, ginger garlic paste and ghee on the tawa and add the tomatoes, green chillies and salt. Cover and cook for 7-8 minutes, adding water on the side if needed.
- Add the cooking oil and saute for 1-2 minutes, then mix well. Add the coriander powder and garam masala and fry for 1 minute.
- Add the yogurt and mix well for 2-3 minutes.
- Add 1 tsp of black pepper and 1/2 tsp of garam masala at the very end. If they go in early the colour turns black.
- Garnish with ginger julienne and fresh coriander and serve.
Video
Notes
Brain Masala Problems and How to Fix Them
- The masala is dark: the black pepper and garam masala went in too early. Add them at the end.
- The brain falls apart too much: stir gently and do not mash it too early.
- The masala is watery: cook it uncovered on high heat after the yogurt until the oil shows.
Serving and Storing
Serve hot with naan or paratha, straight from the pan. Brain masala is best eaten the same day.
Brain Masala FAQs
When do I add black pepper?
Last, with a little extra garam masala. If it goes in early the colour turns black.
How long do I cover the brain?
7-8 minutes with the tomatoes and green chillies.
How much brain do I need?
The video uses about 300 g.
More Recipes
- Tawa fry kaleji: another tawa recipe.
- Barohi mutton karahi: another fire-cooked recipe.
