Bhindi (Okra) has been my favorite vegetable growing up and now I love cooking it for my husband and son who are a big fan of this green beauty as well! Our love for this vegetable makes us grow them in our garden every summer!

This is a very versatile vegetable which can be used in soups, gumbo, pickled, stir fry, stuffed with spices and fried. Have you ever tried fried okra? It is a popular delicacy in South!

Bhindi Masala is a basic Indian stir-fry recipe which can be used for any vegetable of your choice.

Recipe                                                        Servings: 2                                    Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

1/2 lb (250 gm) bhindi (Okra)

1 medium onion, thinly sliced

1 small tomato, chopped

1/2 tsp. ginger, grated

1/2 tsp. garlic, grated

1/4 tsp. jeera (cumin) seeds

1/4 tsp. methi (fenugreek) seeds

2 whole red chilies

1/2 tsp. turmeric

1tsp. coriander powder

1/2 tsp. cumin powder

1/4 tsp. amchur powder

1/4 tsp. red chili powder

1/4 tsp. garam masala powder

1 Tbsp oil

Salt to taste

Method

1. Wash bhindi and pat dry with a paper towel.
2. Cut them in about 1-2 inches pieces. Try to keep the size uniform.
3. Heat oil in a pan, add cumin and methi seeds. Let them crackle.
4. Add whole red chilies and onions. Stir fry for couple minutes.
5. Add ginger, garlic and all of the dry spices mentioned above. Cook them for about 2 minutes.
6. Add bhindi pieces and sauté for few more minutes.
7. Add tomatoes, stir and cover the pan. Turn the temperature to medium low.
8. Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring in between.
9. Make sure bhindi has some crunch left to it and does not get mushy!
10. Serve with chapati, paratha, naan, or any bread of your choice.

Notes:

• Make sure to pat the bhindi dry before cutting. Water may result in sticky bhindi.
• Add 1/2 tsp. of karahi masala to kick it up a notch!
• You can use frozen okra if you don’t have fresh but this recipe comes out the best with fresh ones and they are easily available in all grocery stores now!
• Add green chilies if you don’t have red chilies.