Chatpata Masala Bhindi Fry Recipe

Most people do not like to eat okra or bhindi because it is squishy. However if you pick the right bhindi recipe, you can have this vegetable in a crispy way. Masala bhindi fry is what you need if you think that okra is too pulpy for you. Masala bhindi fry is a dish that is very popular in North India. In this bhindi recipe, the okra is first fried crisply and then cooked with spices.

As the adjective 'chatpata' suggests, masala bhindi fry is a sweet-sour-spicy recipe. However, if you cannot take too much of spices, reduce the number of chillies in the masala bhindi fry. You can still add the dry mango powder and garam masala to make this okra recipe tangy. This Indian vegetarian recipe is usually used as a side dish. But there is no harm in serving it as an appetizer.

Masala Bhindi Fry

Serves: 3
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • Bhindi or okra- 10 (cut into halves and slit)
  • Red chilli powder- 1/2tsp
  • Corn flour- 1tbsp
  • Amchur or dry mango powder- 1tbsp
  • Onions- 1+1 (chopped and paste)
  • Garlic pods- 5
  • Green chillies- 2
  • Tomato - 1 (chopped)
  • Garam masala- 1tsp
  • Oil- 2tbsp
  • Salt- as per taste

Procedure

  1. Marinate the okra with red chilli powder, a dash of amchur and salt for 10 minutes.
  2. Heat oil in a deep bottomed pan. When it starts steaming, add corn flour to the bhindi. Mix it up and add to the pan.
  3. Fry it on a medium flame for 4 minutes. Keep stirring continuously to cook uniformly.
  4. Meanwhile grind one onion, garlic pods and green chillies to make a thick paste.
  5. The corn flour will make the bhindi crisp. So when it looks crisp, strain the fried bhindi from the pan.
  6. Add chopped onions to the pan and saute for 2-3 minutes more. When the onions turns golden, add the paste you prepared with onion, garlic and chillies.
  7. Saute for another 2 minutes and then add the tomatoes. Sprinkle salt, rest of the amchur and garam masala.
  8. Cook on a low flame for 3-4 minutes. When the gravy looks thick and oozes oil, add the fried bhindi to it.
  9. Mix it up and cook for 2 minutes. You can garnish masala bhindi fry with coriander leaves.

Serve masala bhindi fry as a side dish with rotis or with dal and rice.

Story first published: Monday, March 11, 2013, 18:42 [IST]