Bhindi Bhaji: Mildly Spiced Okra

It has been so long that I do not know where to start…

I apologize for the sudden disappearance. I did not intent to. I was seeing myself getting no time at all for the blog or even to sit down and check my mail, but I had not seen myself staying away for this long. Especially since I had so many posts in the draft, all incomplete though. The events and the schedules of the past few weeks acquired a whirlwind speed. I just have to tell myself that things will remain this way. The family is a priority here and blogging being a hobby it was sidetracked. Personally I feel I needed this break. Sorry!  I know I have responsibilities here too. All I can say at this time is I see this happening again and I will not be able to post as frequently as I used to.

However the blog at this point for more than five hundred recipes, so those of you who are eager to try out, make sure you go through the Recipe Index.

Freshly ground Coriander powder adds a beautiful flavor to enhance this simple dish…

Today’s dish is an everyday dish. Bhindi is a common vegetables in almost every state in India and is made is a hundred different ways. Each state has its own treasured recipe from a simple stir fry like this one to more elaborate ones.

With the summer vacation has snuggled up on us in the cozy blanket of a less hectic life, we are usually having a slower morning than the usual school year. Oh! what a relief! But now I have it upon me to cook a full sit down lunch. I have hungry kids to feed. We try to do a variety of lunch (which in this context would mean not Indian everyday). Whatever it is on the menu is effortless, light and something with takes little time. We want to spend the rest of the time doing everything we love to do and cannot do during the school year: like reading together in bed or until past midnight. Little relaxed pleasures of life.

A simple Indian meal would include rice or roti (or any kind of homemade whole wheat flatbread), a dal or lentil dish, a side of one vegetable along with yogurt and a small salad, usually kachumber. The entire lunch does not take too long to put together. There is nothing fancy here, but the food is healthy, wholesome and complete.

This is probably the simplest way to cook bhindi/okra the Indian way. Every state would use their regional spices for flavoring. What I have done today has the soothing flavors of coriander, hugging the tender slices of okra or bhindi. No onion or garlic is used here. The vegetable is cooked just until tender. The slight tart of the dried mango powder (or lemon juice) balances the flavors.

 

Bhindi Bhaji: Mildly Spiced Okra

Ingredients: (Serves 4-6 as a side)

1. 25 medium sized bhindi/okra (about 30 small)
2. 2.5 tablespoon oil
3. a tiny pinch of hing/asafoetida
4. 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
5. 1/4 teaspoon mustard seeds
6. about 8 -10 seeds of methi/fenugreek
7. 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
8. 2 tablespoon freshly ground coriander powder
9. 1/2 teaspoon aamchur/dried mango powder or  some freshly squeezed lemon juice  to taste
10. salt to taste
11. red chili powder to taste – optional
12. fresh cilantro/coriander –  optional

 

Notes:

1.  Make sure the coriander powder is good. You can buy the seeds and grind them in a spice or coffee grinder and store in airtight containers for about a couple of months. Store bought powders, even the fresh brands have lost most of the flavors by the time it has reached your pantry.
2. The use of methi or the fenugreek seeds is something which I have started only recently. It adds a subtle depth of flavor. If they are not available, go ahead and make the dish without it. 
3. Choose tender young okras/bhindi. The mature ones get tough to be eaten.

 

 

Method:

Wash the bhindi/okra. Pat dry them with a towel. Start chopping with taking off the stem end first. Chop in half inch size, approximately. Wipe the knife frequently to wipe off the slime. Arrange the slices in a single layer if possible in a large plate or tray and allow it to air dry for at least thirty minutes.

Heat oil in a pan or large wok. If the okra/bhindi is not overcrowded in the pan it is better. Having them in an almost single layer helps to dry off the slime. Add the hing/asafoetida and then the cumin, mustard and the fenugreek seeds to the heated oil. When the spices sizzle, add the okra/bhindi slices. Toss quickly for the oil to coat the slices. Cook for five minutes and then add the turmeric. Toss gently again for the turmeric to coat the slices evenly. Cook at medium to high heat uncovered. Do not stir or toss too much. If the bhindi/okra is tender, they will cook in about 10-12 minutes. Toss only a couple of times during the cooking process to make sure that they are not turning too brown. Browned at the edges is okay. Otherwise the okra/bhindi should remain green and still slightly crisp to bite. By the end of the cooking process they would have been tender too, the raw taste gone.

Now add the salt and coriander powder. At high heat toss well for the coriander powder to coat the slices well. If you would be using red chilli powder add it now. Cook for about 2 – 3 minutes and then add the aamchur. Toss gently again, cook for a minute, and switch off the heat. If you are using lemon juice instead of aamchur add it after switching off the heat. If you are using fresh cilantro/coriander add before you serve.

Serve hot and preferably immediately as a side. In Indian cuisine the dish is served with a side of rice or roti (or any flatbread) and a dal.

 

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 – 20 minutes

Difficulty Level: Very Easy

Serves: 4 – 6 as a side

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2. Curried Okra with Chickpeas
3. Vegetables and Lentils with Ground Spices
4. Avial: Mixed Vegetables with Coconut
5. Baingan ka Bharta: Smoky and Spiced Eggplant Mash
6. Balsamic Glazed Pumpkin with Walnuts
7. Balsamic Roasted Mushroom with Goat Cheese
8. Cauliflower Tagine With Walnut & Mint Couscous
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