Bhindi Bhaja refers to a popular Indian side dish made by stir-frying sliced okra (also known as lady’s finger) with spices such as cumin seeds, turmeric powder, green chilies, and salt.
It’s a popular Indian side dish loved by many. Let’s dive into the recipe details.
Key Takeaways:
- Bhindi bhaja is a popular Indian dish.
- It is easy and quick to make at home.
- You can enjoy it as a side dish with steamed white rice, hot parathas, roti or chapati.
- Bhindi bhaja tastes mildly spicy. It is crispy and offer a crunchy and savory taste with balanced aromatic flavor.
- A few alternatives to this dish include different fried items made with aloo or potato, karela or bitter gourd, baingan or eggplant, potol or pointed gourd, or shim or flat beans.
The Ingredients
- Bhindi or okra or lady’s finger: 500 gm (cut & cleaned)
- Cumin seeds: less than ½ tbsp
- Turmeric powder: ½ tbsp
- Green chili: 4 pieces (slitted)
- Mustard oil: 2 tbsp
- Salt to taste
How to Cook Bhindi Bhaja (Step by Step Images)?
1. To prepare bhindi bhaja, start by cleaning and cutting the bhindi or okra or lady’s fingers into small cubes. Then, heat a wok and add 2 tbsp of mustard oil to it, and heat it.
2. Next, add less than ½ tbsp of cumin seeds and sauté them until they emit a pleasant aroma. Add all the lady’s fingers and stir-fry everything.
3. Add ½ tbsp of salt and ½ tbsp of turmeric powder to it. Stir-fry everything well over medium heat until the sliminess reduces.
4. Once the sliminess has reduced, increase the flame. Stir-fry frequently to prevent burning. Add 4 green chilis (slitted) and stir-fry them nicely.
(Pro tip: Do not add the chilis too early; otherwise, they will melt and get fully mixed with the fries.)
5. Bhindi Bhaja is now ready. It took 15 minutes to complete the frying.
6. Transfer Bhindi Bhaja to a bowl.
7. Serve it with steamed rice, paratha, roti or chapati.
Recipe Card
Bhindi Bhaja | Bhindi Fry | Okra Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 500 grams Okra (cut & cleaned)
- ½ tbsp Cumin seed
- ½ tbsp Turmeric powder
- 4 pieces Green chili
- 2 tbsp Mustard oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- To prepare bhindi bhaja, start by cleaning and cutting the bhindi or okra or lady’s fingers into small cubes. Then, heat a wok and add 2 tbsp of mustard oil to it, and heat it.
- Next, add less than ½ tbsp of cumin seeds and sauté them until they emit a pleasant aroma. Add all the lady’s fingers and stir-fry everything.
- Add ½ tbsp of salt and ½ tbsp of turmeric powder to it. Stir-fry everything well over medium heat until the sliminess reduces.
- Once the sliminess has reduced, increase the flame. Stir-fry frequently to prevent burning. Add 4 green chilis (slitted) and stir-fry them nicely.(Pro tip: Do not add the chilis too early; otherwise, they will melt and get fully mixed with the fries.)
- Bhindi Bhaja is now ready. It took 15 minutes to complete the frying.
- Transfer Bhindi Bhaja to a bowl.
- Serve it with steamed rice, paratha, roti or chapati.
Video
Notes
- Wash the bhindi. Use a paper towel to pat them dry since moisture will result in a slimy dish.
- The pieces should be small and uniform. This will ensure even cooking and perfect frying without making the dish mushy.
- Fry the bhindi in hot but not smoking mustard oil. This will prevent the dish from becoming slimy. Use enough oil to covers the pan.
- Do not overcrowd the pan. This will prevent proper frying because the steam will make the dish soggy. Fry in batches if needed.
- Add the salt at the right time so that it does not extract more moisture from the bhindi while frying. I cook the dish on medium heat. This will prevent burning and allow even cooking.
