Punjabi Bhindi Masala

 

                                      Bhindi Masala

             

Restaurant style Bhindi Masala gravy – an Indian style okra/ladies finger delicacy which can be enjoyed with Chapati or any other flat bread or rice, choice is yours !

My younger daughter is a huge fan, so I get bhindi every other week. I don’t make this curry as often since it needs more oil.  But there is no harm in indulging some of your favorite dishes once in a while, am I right ? Usually we make dry version of bhindi which we call vendakka mezhukkupuratti or stir fry in Kerala.

This is  a simple and easy recipe. A bowl of rice, dal and  bhindi masala = heaven! I love this combination..yum.

How to make this….

Method

You need some preparation work for the bhindi.  Wash lady finger and wipe it dry using a clean kitchen towel. If you are planning it early you can wash and keep it in a colander for some time.

Cut the crown and tip and chop into medium size pieces and shallow fry in little oil until it shrinks and changes color to dark green.

Heat oil in a heavy bottomed pan and add cumin seeds. Once it splutters add chopped onions and saute till golden brown.

Add ginger garlic paste and  fry till raw smell goes. You can add green chillies also if you want to make it more spicy.

Next add all powders like chilly powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder and coriander powder. Saute over medium heat for 1 or 2 minutes.

Add chopped tomatoes, saute until it starts leaving oil from the sides of the pan.

Take the pan from heat and add yogurt and mix well. Return the pan to heat and stir well.

Add garam masala and crushed kasuri methi, salt and amchur powder. Cook on low flame for another 2 minutes. You can add a pinch of sugar to enhance the flavour.

Pour ½ cup of water and let the gravy come to a boil. Adjust salt if required.

Add the fried bhindi mix well and let it simmer for another few minutes.

You can squeeze in little lime juice now if you don’t have amchur powder. Mix well & garnish with coriander leaves.

Serve hot  with roti/chapathi or jeera rice.

Ingredients

Lady finger/Okra/Bhindi : 250gm

Oil : 3 to 4 tbsp

Cumin seeds : ½ tsp

Ginger garlic paste : 2 tsp

Chopped onions : 1 medium

Tomatoes : 2

Red chili powder : 1 tsp

Turmeric powder : ½ tsp

Coriander powder : 2 tsp

Cumin powder : ½ tsp

Garam masala : ½ tsp

Amchur powder : ½ tsp OR juice of half a lime

Crushed kasoori methi :  ½ tsp

Yogurt : ¼ cup

Coriander /cilantro leaves

Salt : to taste

Sugar :  a Pinch