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Bhindi Masala Recipe. Indian Okra Curry. Lightly spiced Okra in onion tomato curry. Restaurant style Masala Bhindi. Vegan Gluten-free Soy-free Indian Recipe. Pin this Recipe.
Okra is cooked in many ways in Indian cuisine. It usually is a veggie side served as a part of a meal, served with dals and curries. It can be served as simple side cooked with just onions, or cooked in a sauces like sesame peanut coconut (book page 71), tamarind coconut(kuzhambu), and many more. Here is another simple curried Okra or a basic bhindi masala. Add more spices or add some coconut milk for creamy curry.
I get Okra from the Indian store and they seem to always have a lot in stock. Get green and young okra and try it in one of these Indian recipes.
More veggie sides from the blog
- Baked Crunchy Popcorn Okra
- Okra in tamarind coconut sauce
- Bhindi Zunka – Okra crusted with chickpea flour and spices.
- Okra and Onion Stir fry
- Pan Roasted Sesame Coconut Brussels Sprouts
Bhindi Masala Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tsp oil
- 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
- 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/2 medium onion thinly sliced
- 1 green chili, finely chopped
- 2-3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 1/2 inch ginger, finley chopped
- 2.5 cups chopped Okra
- 1/4 tsp turmeric
- 3/4 tsp coriander powder
- cayenne as needed
- 3/4 cup chopped tomatoes
- 2 tsp ketchup , or use tomato paste
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 tsp salt.
- garam masala and cilantro for garnish.
Instructions
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. when hot, add mustard and cumin seeds and cook until they start to pop or change color.
- Add the onion, chili, garlic, ginger and cook until translucent. 4 mins. I usually use my mini food processor to chop these. Lots of onion garlic chili used in Indian food, so i know i will need more chopped for dals or curries.
- Add okra and pinch of salt., Cook for 10 minutes or until golden on some edges. Stir occasionally. Roasting the okra till the edges dry out a bit will seal in the slime.
- Add spices, tomato, ketchup, salt and water. Cover and cook until tomatoes are cooked. 6 mins Taste and adjust salt and spice. Mash the larger tomato pieces. Sprinkle some garam masala and mix in. Garnish with cilantro. Serve in a bowl with dals, soups or curries and cooked grains or flatbread.
Notes
Add some amchur (dry mango powder) with the tomatoes.
Add in some coconut milk for creamier sauce. Nutritional values based on one serving
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I love Bhindi Masala and this came out perfect. I added more garam masala.
This recipe looks delish… going to serve it on top of brown rice with plantin on the side…. any other side dishes you recommend? I am considering cornbread as well….
some curries or dals would work well
Richa, thanks for the recipe and discussion about okra, which I like very much. A couple questions. Do you think it would be a good idea to fry the okra in a little oil, separately, before frying it with the other ingredients? In this way, we can “seal in the sliminess” without overheating the other ingredients.
Also, I have an idea to use your basic recipe here, but to add more tomatoes, making the dish more like a stew that can be poured over rice, and for my taste, I’d also add some cut-up potatoes. If you think this works, what other changes would you suggest? Thanks very much. I love Indian cooking, especially South Indian vegetarian cooking.
Sure, you can pan fry the okra and fold it in the stew to simmer for a few minutes before serving. You can also bake the okra for similar results. Spray oil and bake for 20 mins.
I usually hate okra but I tried this at an Indian buffet I frequent and it was delicious. I look forward to making it myself.
It was my first time cooking with okra and it was wonderful! I followed the recipe to a tee and it worked out great.
I actually LOVE okra. It is SO good. I definitely have to get them next time I eat Indian!
Richa, now you are showing one of my favorite recipes, and one of the few ways I can get someone who says they dislike okra to change their minds. This is an awesome recipe, just as all yours are.
Right now I have a Chana masala (your recipe) simmering on the stove. Since we have had a turn to cooler weather here in the Pacific Northwest, it’s one of my go-to dishes for warming your tummy to a happy place. Added bonus of its wonderful flavor is that your spice mixture makes the house smell great.
Love, love, love your cookbook and blog. Always using your recipes…they are the best!!
Thanks Lesli. I am so ready for it to be continuously warm and sunny. So glad you love the book and blog recipes!
Can you use frozen okra?
yes