Okra Bhaji (Ladies Fingers or Bhindi Curry)

Ingredients:

  • 300 gm Okra (ladies finger or Bhindi)
  • 1 medium onion, sliced
  • 2 tsp ginger garlic paste or grated
  • 2 to 3 fresh red or green chillies chopped
  • 1 tbs cooking oil
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds and mustard seeds
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp cumin and coriander powder
  • 1/4 tsp chilli powder or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp dry mango powder or amchoor (Mango powder) (optional)
  • Salt to taste

Recipe:

  • Wash and dry thoroughly all okra. This is important, as if they are wet, the curry will become very slimy! You can spread them on a kitchen towel for a few hours to dry properly. You can also give them a rub with the kitchen towel. Actually frozen sliced okra are less slimy.
  • Remove and discard the stalk end from each okra. Slice okra in circles about a 1 to 2 cm.
  • Heat oil in a wok or kadhai. Add cumin/mustard seeds and let them splutter. If using mustard seeds, keep the lid on, because they jump.
  • Add ginger and garlic and stir fry for 20/30 seconds. Do not let it burn.
  • Add okra stir fry for a few minutes, reduce heat to low-medium and cook for 10 minutes or so.
  • Add sliced onion and all spices except mango powder. Stir fry for a few minutes, reduce heat to low-medium and cook covered for 10 minutes or so. DO NOT ADD WATER, it has its own, which will release during cooking.
    • Once okra are cooked, add mango powder. Stir fry until all the natural water is evaporated and the bhindi looks shiny with oil.
  • Serve hot with rice and yoghurt or chapattis.