Bhindi Masala

Bhindi Masala

This is a delicious bhindi masala recipe that I often make and is a Punjabi recipe of a semi-dry spiced okra curry – best savored with some soft phulka or roti. Gluten-free, vegan, and healthy.

“Bhindi” is the Hindi word for okra and “Masala” here refers to a sautéed base of aromatics like onions, garlic, ginger with the usual tomatoes, spices, and herbs.

So there you get the meaning of Bhindi Masala – okra cooked in a spiced tangy base of onions, tomatoes, and ground spices. The spice combination used here is often added to many Punjabi recipes.

Cuisine: North Indian
Course: Side Dish
Diet: Gluten-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Also Read: Sweet Paratha Recipe | Meetha Paratha Recipe For Kids

Ingredients

For Sautéing

  • 29.57 ml oil – sunflower oil or peanut oil or any neutral oil
  • 8.82 oz okra (bhindi or lady finger)

Other Ingredients

  • 14.79 ml oil – sunflower oil or peanut oil or any neutral oil
  •  cup finely chopped onions or 1 medium-sized onion
  • 1 teaspoon Ginger-Garlic Paste or 1-inch ginger and 3 to 4 medium garlic cloves, crushed in mortar-pestle
  • 1 cup finely chopped tomatoes 2 medium-sized tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder (ground coriander)
  • ½ teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder or ¼ teaspoon red chili powder or cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • ½ teaspoon fennel powder (ground fennel – optional
  • ½ teaspoon Garam Masala Powder
  • ½ teaspoon amchur powder (dry mango powder) or add as required
  • salt as required
  • ½ teaspoon Kasuri methi, – crushed (dry fenugreek leaves ) – optional
  • 2 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves
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Instructions

Preparation

  • Rinse the bhindi (okra) well in water.
  • Dry them on a large plate on their own or wipe them with a kitchen towel.
  • Remove the base and stalk while chopping them. Chop into 1 or 2-inch pieces.
  • Also, chop onions and tomatoes. Keep aside.
  • Make a paste of ginger and garlic in mortar-pestle and keep aside.

Sautéing Bhindi

  • Heat 2 tbsp oil in a Kadai (wok) or pan.
  • Add the chopped bhindi and sauté stirring often till they are completely cooked. You will have to keep an eye on them and stir in between many times.
  • Taste the sautéed okra and if the crunchiness is not there and the bhindi has become soft, it means they are cooked. Keep the sautéed bhindi aside.

Also Read: A carrot halwa (Gajar ka Halwa) recipe made in the traditional way

Sautéing Onions, Tomatoes, Spices

  • All the oil will be used up. So add 1 tbsp oil to the same pan.
  • Add chopped onions and fry till they become translucent.
  • Add the ginger-garlic paste and saute for ½ minute or till the raw aroma of the ginger-garlic disappears.
  • Add the chopped tomatoes and saute till the tomatoes become soft and mushy.
  • If the tomato mixture becomes too dry and starts sticking to the pan, then add about ¼ cup water. Mix well and continue to cook.
  • All the above cooking is done in an open pan and you don’t need to cover the pan with the lid.
  • Add all the dry spice powders one by one.
  • Mix well and saute for a few seconds.

Making Bhindi Masala

  • Add the sautéed bhindi, crushed Kasuri methi & salt, and mix so that the onion-tomato masala coats the okra well.
  • Cook for about 2 minutes. Stir in between.
  • Then switch off the flame and add chopped coriander leaves. Mix again.
  • Serve bhindi masala hot or warm garnished with a few coriander leaves and accompanied with chapati, roti or naan.

Related Article: 5 Cooking Without Fire Recipes For Children

Notes

  • Okra: Buy tender and fresh okra pods. They should have a smooth, shiny look with a nice green color. They should not be dry, dense, or fibrous.
  • Scaling: You can easily halve or double the recipe.
  • Omitting onions and garlic: If you decide not to add onions and garlic, then when sautéing tomatoes, add a pinch of asafoetida (hing).
  • Spicing and seasonings: You can add less or more of the ground spices according to your taste preferences.
  • Dried fenugreek leaves: Skip dried fenugreek leaves if you do not have them.
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