Bhindi Masala
You know ladiesfinger / okra / bhindi / vendakkai - it can turn slimy if a few precautionary steps aren't taken... but is still a very popular vegetable, if prepared the right away. My husband likes only a drier version of this vegetable, not the gravy kind. The recipe below can be made semi solid, instead of the dry version I have here, so it pairs well with rotis. I also found out that the microwave offers a great option to get rid of the stickiness. So, here's my method...
Ingredients:
BHINDI MASALA
Ingredients:Bhindi/Vendakkai - 30 to 40, make sure they are tender
Onion - 1 big, cut into 1 inch slices
Tomato - 1, chopped
Chilli powder - 1 to 2 tsp
Coriander powder - 1 tsp
Cumin powder - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric - 1/4 tsp
Salt - to taste
Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
Oil - 1 tbsp + a few sprays of oil
Method
1) Wash Bhindi and let them dry completely. Cut bhindi and lay them out as a single layer on a microwaveable plate. Microwave them for 5 to 7 mins. This will ensure that they do not get sticky and retain their green colour. Do this in batches.
2) Heat oil in a wide, shallow pan and toast some cumin seeds, then add the onions and fry till translucent and slightly browned.
3) Now add in the tomatoes, salt, turmeric powder, chilli, coriander and cumin powder and cook till the tomatoes turn a bit mushy.
4) Now the previously microwaved Bhindi goes in and gets tossed around in a medium heat till well cooked.
5) I sometimes shift the entire thing into a microwaveable bowl and complete this in the microwave instead of on the stove-top. That works well too but definitely yields in a drier version.
We had this with Dhal Fry and Chapathis.
I had followed your method of MWing bhindi for your vathal kuzhambu recipe and it was perfect!
ReplyDeleteBhindi masala is one of my favorites too, but I don't make it often enough.
Laavanya, the ligting in pic 1,2 is really good! :)
I meant "lighting"...I hate it when I spell incorrectly.:(
ReplyDeleteVery nice idea of microwaving the okra. I normally cut the okra the previous day itself, to avoid the mess and that works too. I'll try this idea also. The curry also looks good Laavanya.
ReplyDeleteLavi, thanks for th tips on getting non-slimy bhindis..soggy, sticky bhindis are my pet teeve. Just one ques. though, what's the oil spray for ?
ReplyDeleteYour bhindi does look delicious:)
Nice one Laav! What a perfectr combo - dhal, roti & Bhindi Masala.. I have never tried MW before, will try & update u.
ReplyDeletethanx for the tip about MWing the okra, Laav!! that is a real handy one...
ReplyDeletevery nice recipe with okra.
ReplyDeleteWoh Laavanya....Nice to prepare the style of Bhindi masala...noted all....thanks
ReplyDeletethanks for the microwaving idea, Laavanya! It's really so helpful. Lovely bhindi masala recipe. Looks yum!
ReplyDeleteI always crave for this dry bhindi masala on restaurants..never tried at home..thanks for the recipe..
ReplyDeleteLove it, always order in the restaurants and make it at home too. Fresh Bhindi is the best to use for this which is rare for me to get!:))
ReplyDeleteWow that okra masal looks mouthwattering.
ReplyDeleteDelicious.
this is bookmarked..i hate okra...but jeeves loves it...so will be made within the next few months..hopefully my diet is done by then!
ReplyDeleteand TBC..stop pretending like an english teacher :D
ReplyDeletei love this..i make it exactly in the same way..tastes soooooooo yummm...nice idea to microwave okras....i usually stir fry it in pan until golden brwn and soft.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the microwaving tip, Laavanya! I normally fry it first and then add it. Will try MW next time. :)
ReplyDeleteLavanya-
ReplyDeletefirst time visitor here, very nice recipe of bhindi masala, will try it soon.
Yummy Yummy bhindi masala, looks great !!!
ReplyDeletehey Laavanya~~
ReplyDeletelove this veggie.. can eat it almost everyday... and have tried this recipe as well.. yummm!!
GReat looking Sabzi. I make cause its very easy to prepare this.
ReplyDeletewooo..this looks yummy..my family luvs bhindi....urs look is perfect
ReplyDeleteWOW... That was a nice recipe. Looks so good. Love the combo with chapati. YUM!... Nice picture...
ReplyDeleteI discovered a new love for Bhindi after I made a creative version with peanuts and coconut:) your looks great too Lavanya, and that plate of food is really making me hungry now:)
ReplyDeleteTBC, don't worry about the spelling.. I got it. Thanks to the long summer days. However we had the dinner a bit late and that's why the last one isn't so bright. Thank you! :)
ReplyDeleteMadhuram, that's a great tip - Thanks!
Delhibelle, Good catch on the spray, i ought to have mentioned it.. it's mainly to be used when microwaving if desired or during the actual cooking process.
Seema, thank you.. Arun likes the MWed version better actually. Let me know.
Thank you Ramya, Andhra flavours, Raghu and Uma.
Lavi, do give it a shot.. rather easy.
Asha, oh that's too bad.. i almost always get it at the korean supermarket here (H-mart) except it can be prized rather exorbitantly sometimes.
Thank you Happy Cook.
Rajitha, so how's your diet coming.. am sure Jeeves is waiting for it to be over so he can eat all his favorite food.. :)
Ranji, very true.. i make both ways actually.
Kalai, do try the MW, it makes a difference with practically no oil to boot.
Hi Mitr, good to see you on my blog - thanks!
Thank you Madhavi and Aarti..
Hey Pooja, long time no see.. True, only the bhindi cutting takes a long time otherwise quite easy to put together.
Thank you Suma,
Sukanya, yes that and the dhal went really well with the chapathis.. thanks !
Thank you Mansi.. peanut and coconut - sounds yummy. Have you posted it already?
Very nice recipe Laavanya. I loved the idea of MWing the bhendi before making the actual subzi. That must save lots of time.
ReplyDeleteLaavanya,this bhindi masala looks mouthwatering!Bhindis are one of my favorite veggies and I have posted one recipe with them in my blog as well. All of your recipes are totally yummy. Makes me hungry:)
ReplyDeleteI love bhindi, everyone cannot make it so perfect because of mushyness, Your veg came out so delicious!
ReplyDeleteNice tip about microwaving the bhindi Laavi..the dish is good. But if you don't wash bhindi at all, just wipe them clean with a wet towel, it never gets sticky :) Water is the evil one :P
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ReplyDeleteI love okra cooked this way, I have to give it a try!
ReplyDeleteI tested the tip and also made the bindi masala just now Laavanya. It has come out very well. Thank you very much.
ReplyDeleteMadhuram, so happy to know that you tried and liked the sabzi! The MWing is such a boon for this curry in particular. Thanks for the feedback :)
ReplyDelete