Cooks Joy

Achari Bhindi (Spicy Okra/Vendakkai Curry)

Bhindi is the hindi name for okra. In tamil we call it “vendakkai”. It is not always that I get to use fresh okra because most of the time when we hit the Indian store, the vegetables are already dying and we just pick the good ones from the lot. This year I had the luxury of eating fresh okra straight from the garden, thanks to my friend Rachel. After the usual fry, stuffed okra, sambar, etc. I wanted to try something that I had not posted and that is when this dish crossed my mind.

I love the tanginess in this dish and was initially skeptical whether K would like it since okra is his favorite vegetable and I certainly do not want to mess it. But, it all turned out well because he was complimenting the dish and we all loved it. Do not be alarmed at the ingredient list, they are the usual spices that most Indian pantries are stocked with . Off to the recipe.

Achari Bhindi

By Vardhini, October 25, 2012

Okra (Bhindi) coated with a spicy masala.

Total Time: 50 minutes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients:

oil - 2 tsp
okra - 2 1/4 cups (bhindi/vendakkai - cut into 1 inch pieces)
For Spicy Coating
oil - 2 tsp
mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
cumin seeds - 1 tsp
fennel seeds - 1/2 tsp
onion - 1 cup - sliced
ginger paste - 1 tsp
garlic paste - 1 tsp
tomatoes - 1/2 cup - pureed (I used canned crushed tomatoes)
chilly powder - 1/2 tsp
coriander powder - 1 tsp
salt - to taste
turmeric - a pinch
water - 1/4 cup

Instructions:

1. Heat oil and fry the okra pieces for around 10 minutes until the okra gets a little crisp. Keep aside.
2. Heat oil and splutter mustard seeds. Add cumin and fennel seeds and saute for a few seconds.
3. Add onions, ginger paste and garlic paste and saute until the onions are cooked.
4. Add salt, chilly powder, turmeric and coriander powder.
5. Add tomato puree and saute for 5 minutes.
6. Add the cooked okra and mix well. Add 1/4 cup water if the curry is too dry. Keep on flame for about 10 minutes and turn the stove off. Curry ready to be served with rice.

My Notes
1. Okra is sauteed first in oil to prevent it from becoming mushy or slimy.

Last Year : Kalakand (Diwali Recipe)
Pictorial
1. Heat oil and add the okra pieces.
2. Saute for around 10 minutes until the okra gets a little crisp. Remove and keep aside.3. Heat oil and splutter mustard seeds. Add cumin and fennel seeds. Saute for a couple of seconds.4. Add onions, ginger and garlic paste.5. Saute until onions are cooked.6. Add salt, turmeric, chilly powder and coriander powder.7. Saute for a few seconds.8. Add the tomato puree.9. Saute for 5 minutes to let the flavors mingle.10. Add the okra.11. Add 1/4 cup water if the curry is too dry. Cook for about 10 minutes and turn the stove off.The fry was tangy and went perfectly with rice.
Enjoy!