Bhindi Masala is a dry side dish with either some curry or daal . It is stuffed with basic spices and garlic . A simple everyday dish , but yet a favourite of many .
Call it Bhindi , Okra or Lady Fingers , this is one veggie which is our favourite . My kids are very fond of it too . As a kid mom would have to make this in two versions , the Masala Bhindi and the Tukde Wali Bhindi . My brother refused Masala Bhindi and just to give importance I would want Masala ones . When I think of those days I laugh , how our parents pampered us !
Years passed and when we went to Delhi during vacations , the first meal was Masala Bhindi and Mattar Paneer . Mandatory , every year . Girls called it Naani ki Bhindi , the love for these bhindi’s was so much that anyone flying to Tokyo , Chennai or Ahemedabad would have to carry a box of cooked Bhindi Masala – yes the Naani ki Bhindi . I have tried my best to make these bhindi’s like mom , but can we ever reach that level , No , not me at least .
The spices that go in are our basic ones , addition of just a clove or two makes a world of difference . The cooking does require a little extra oil and it is hard to cook these as a low cal veggie , unless you would want to steam them or perhaps cook in MW . The Masala Bhindi’s pairs very well with roti or paratha . I love to sandwich them in a soft bread slice , you could even make a wrap with them while you are travelling .
I had cooked these with vegetable Kofta and Rice cooked in a Pressure Cooker for our April Mega Marathon .
Bhindi Masala
Ingredients
500 gms lady fingers
1/2 tsp red chilly powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tbsp coriander powder
1/4 tsp dry mango powder
2 cloves garlic , very finely chopped
Salt to taste
3-4 tbsp oil
Method
Wash and wipe the lady fingers .
Chop off head and tails , and slit them without cutting through and through .
Mix all the spices , along with garlic .
Stuff this spice into the slits.
Add oil to a kadahi or a pan .
Add the stuffed lady fingers , sauté for 3-5 minutes on full flame .
Now simmer the flame and place a rimmed kid to cover the pan .
Pour 1/4 cup water over the lid and let the lady fingers cook .
Once they are tender , sauté for a minute on full flame , making sure not to over do as this will disintegrate the bhindis.
Here are some more recipes with Bhindi / Okra
Bemieh bel Zeit / Lebanese Okra & Tomato Stew
There are so many memories behind this masala bhindi for you, Vaishali, it feels nice to hear it narrated. I am glad your grandkids now associate this dish with you, just the way you associate this with your mom.
So true Vaishali, nothing can beat Maa ke haath ka khana.. there are many dishes that I too try to get the taste like mom’s but no where near to it.. Masala bhindi look so well cooked and we love these with chapatis and any curd preparation. I microwave we can make a low cal version using less oil, but cooking in sufficient oil makes the taste much better.
We can never recreate mom’s recipe even though the ingredients added are the same. And it is really tough to cook bindhi with less oil. These masala bindhis looks absolutely yum.
Bhindi Masala looks so delicious and absolutely yummy. I will love to just eat it.