Cooking Bhindi? Try This Indian-Style Crispy Bharwa Bhindi For An Edgy Lunch-Time Treat

If we were to make a list of versatile veggies, the dark-green coloured okra which is available all-year round, would definitely make the cut. The vegetable is popularly known as bhindi in some regions of India. There is so much that can be done with this humble ingredient that it is mind-boggling at times. With our Indian culinary expertise, we can whip any kind of dish and give it a whole new makeover. Same can be done with bhindi as well, it can be incorporated with other vegetables or savoured as a standalone dish. Most of us like to enjoy bhindi in the form of dry sabzi with the basic sauté of onion, tomato and green chillies. But you can also give a little bit of twist to this simple recipe with bharwa bhindi. ‘Bharwa’ in India generally means ‘stuffed’. So, in this recipe you have to stuff the bhindi with an array of Indian masalas, which is generally used every day in our kitchens. Bharwa bhindi is a scrumptious dish that can be prepared with a handful of ingredients in just a couple of minutes. You can enjoy this light and sapid dish anytime you want. Here’s the recipe for bharwa bhindi you were waiting for.

Ingredients:

  • 600 gm okra (bhindi)
  • 1 medium size onion, finely chopped
  • 1-2 tomato, finely chopped
  • 5 tbsp coriander powder
  • 2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 3 tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder
  • 3 tsp cumin powder
  • 3 tsp dry mango powder
  • 2 tsp garam masala powder
  • 1 tsp salt or as required
  • 7 tbsp mustard oil
  • 2 tbsp lime juice

Preparations:

1. Wash the okra well and remove the ends of the vegetable. Then slit them from the middle and keep them aside. Make sure not to cut them in half or else the stuffing wouldn’t stay while cooking.

2. In a bowl combine coriander powder, turmeric powder, Kashmiri red chilli powder, cumin powder, dry mango powder, garam masala powder and salt.

3. Then add 2 tbsp of mustard oil in the bowl and give it a good mix.

4. Stuff the bhindi carefully with the prepared masala mix.

5. In a skillet, heat the remaining mustard oil over medium flame. When the oil is hot enough, add the onions and tomato and fry them for a while, then add the stuffed bhindi into it.

6. Fry them for 3-5 minutes and make sure to turn the bhindis in regular intervals. Cook them from both sides.

7. If needed, fry them for longer until they are done, just make sure you don’t overcook them.

8. Turn off the flame and drizzle your crispy bharwa bhindi with lemon juice.

That’s it, your scrumptious bharwa bhindi is ready.