• Toast cumin and curry leaves until aroma. Add coconut and toast for a minute or so. 
• Allow to cool and grind to paste with shallots and garlic
• Fry oil in a pan. Add cumin, mustard and curry leaves.allow to splutter
• Add chopped brinjal, turmeric and some salt
• Fry till half cooked and keep aside.
• Add masala to the remaining oil in the kadai and fry for 8-10 mins until oil separate
• Add salt, chilli powder and stir.
• Add the fried brinjal to masala
• Remove from fire after the oil starts separating from the curry

Reference

• http://www.bawarchi.com/recipe/nellur-brinjal-fry-oetmfmcgdbjee.html