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Let's begin making the recipe of bhindi masala. Wash 500 gms of okra or bhindi properly under running water so that the impurities or dirt fall off.
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Once washed, absorb moisture by placing the washed bhindi on a clean kitchen towel.
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Excess moisture makes the lady fingers slimy during cooking.
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Trim the ends and further cut them into 1-inch pieces.
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The consistency of the pieces will ensure that the vegetables are all cooked at the same time.
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This will add a satisfying crunch to your dish.
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Next, place two tablespoons of oil in a pan over medium flame. You can use any cooking oil that you prefer; however, for this particular dish, you must use a neutral one like vegetable or sunflower oil.
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Put the cumin seeds into the hot oil.
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The cumin seeds will splutter up with a warm, fragrant aroma. The flavourful base for your bhindi masala is ready.
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After the cumin, now it's time to add one fine chopped onion into the pan; continue stirring the onion until it turns golden brown
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The caramelising of the onion will add a rich sweetness to it to balance the earthy flavours that seems characteristic of bhindi.
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Once the onions turn golden, add one teaspoon of ginger-garlic paste to the pan.
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Saut this mixture for around a minute till when the raw smell of the ginger and garlic is gone as it mixes well with the onions.
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Then add two chopped tomatoes to the pan and mix them.
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Cook these tomatoes for about 5 to 7 minutes so that they become soft and mushy. This gives you a rich, delectable base for the bhindi masala.
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Okay, the tomato mixture is ready.
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Add the spice mixture and stir for 2-3 minutes so that the spices are well-coated and soft. This gives an overall flavour that is aromatic and inviting.
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Now it's time to add the star, the sliced lady finger (bhindi). Add the chopped bhindi into the pan and mix well with the spice mixture so that it gets an even coat.
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This ensures that every piece of the bhindi is well coated with the spice mix. Once everything is mixed properly, cover it and turn the flame to low.
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Let it simmer for 15-20 minutes. Sometimes, you have to stir it till it does not adhere and cooks uniformly. The gentle simmer causes the ladyfingers to get mushy while still soaking the spices without getting too slimy.
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Check the bhindi after 15-20 minutes of cooking.
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It would be soft and still retain a slight crunch. This is the time to add salt to taste and adjust it to your liking.
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Give a final stir to the bhindi masala, garnish with chopped fresh coriander leaves, and you will have a burst of colour and freshness that dresses up the cooked bhindi and adds a welcome fresh flavour that complements the dish well.
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Serve bhindi masala hot with steamed rice, chapati, or naan.
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The dish offers the delicious taste and texture of ladyfingers.
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Bhindi masala is a nutritious and filling vegetarian dish that would leave everybody delighted. Served with both the side and main courses, it will surely be a hit at all dining events. It's all the goodness of vegetables and richness of Indian spices blended into a dish.