Okra/Bhindi Masala

This bhindi masala is quite nostalgic for me. It was a part of our growing up years. I would like to call this my mom’s special bhindi masala. She would make it very often and we would relish it with our rotis and rice. My hubby is not a big fan of okra and so obviously post marriage, I wouldn’t buy them very often. But luckily, as Neha grew up, she started relishing it in

every form. I would frequently make bhindi stir fry or bhindi raita or add them in sambar. She enjoys it and happily carries it in her lunch box.

Okra is a very healthy vegetable rich in vitamin C and K, dietary fibre, magnesium and folate. It helps to control diabetes, obesity, sun stroke, asthma etc. Make sure that you wipe the okra dry after washing it and before cutting. Also, saute it on high flame till the sliminess reduces and then you can add the spices. Do not overcook them and not add water.

Ingredients:

• Okra 200 gm
• Salt to taste
• Onion 1
• Tomato 1
• Green chilies 1-2
• Garlic 2 cloves
• Ginger small piece
• Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp
• Red chili powder 1 tsp
• Coriander powder 1 tsp
• Cumin seeds 1/2 tsp
• Sesame seeds 1/2 tsp
• Refined oil 1-2 tbsp
• Coriander leaves 3-4 sprigs

Method:

• Wash the okra and chop the ends. Cut them into small pieces.
• Heat around half tablespoon of oil in a pan and and fry the bhindi on medium to high flame till it’s almost cooked.

• Chop the onion, tomato, green chilies, ginger and garlic finely.
• Heat around one tablespoon of oil in a pan or kadhai and add the cumin and sesame seeds.
• When they splutter, add the chopped onion, green chilies, ginger and garlic. Cook them till the onion is translucent.
• Now add the dry spices and salt and cook for 1-2 minutes.

• Add the chopped tomato pieces and salt and cook till the tomato becomes mushy.

• Once the tomato is cooked well, add the fried okra pieces and mix well.

• Stir it for 2-3 minutes till the ladies finger is fully coated with the masala.
• Garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves and serve it hot with phulkas or rice and dal.

Notes:

• You can add few pieces of fried potatoes to this and believe me it tastes awesome. You need not deep fry the potatoes. Simple parboil it and shallow fry them in a pan and add it to the masala along with the okra.
• Another lovely combination would be to add few pieces of blanched button mushrooms.
• Try adding a cup of finely chopped methi/fenugreek or even palak/spinach leaves during the last few minutes of cooking. Adding greens is definitely going to increase the nutritive value of okra.