Bhindi Masala Fry

Bhindi Masala Fry is a stir fry dish that is a favourite in North India. I can easily top this off as one of my favourite dishes in North Indian cuisine. With a bowl of rice and dal, this serves as a great combination for any meal.

Bhindi or lady’s finger is first cut into thin round slices and then sautéed first in oil before its lightly spiced and masala prepared. The sliminess of Bhindi or Lady’s finger is gotten rid of by 2 main methods

1) At first the lady’s finger is washed well in running water and then pat dried before slicing it

2) The Bhindi is first sautéed well in some oil and lightly fried for few minutes before its cooked with the masala

This was a regular at the college canteen and I used to wait for those days where Bhindi was included in the menu. Since it was a seasonal vegetable it was not always available though.

RECIPE

Ingredients

Lady’s finger – 1/2 kg (15-20 chopped into thin round slices)

Onion – 1 medium sliced thinly

Tomato – 1 medium

Turmeric powder – 1/2 tsp

Kashmiri Red Chilly powder – 1 tsp

Coriander powder – 1 tbsp

Salt – to taste

Amchoor powder – 1/2 tsp

Cumin seeds – 1/4 tsp

Garam masala – 1/2 tsp

Oil – 3 tbsp

STEPS

1. Heat oil in a frying pan or Kadai on medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped bhindi to the pan. Let it cook on medium heat for 5 to 8 minutes and then lower the heat to low and cook for 3 to 5 minutes. Keep stirring in between.

2. This removes most of the sliminess. Remove pan from heat. To the same pan, now add the remaining 2 tbsp oil on medium heat . Once the oil is hot, add cumin seeds and let them sizzle for few seconds.

3. Add chopped onion and saute these until they turn soft.

4.Now add in the chopped tomatoes and cook for around 5 minutes till they become soft.

5.Then add all  the spice powders – coriander powder, turmeric, garam masala, amchur, red chili powder and salt. Now mix the spices well with the masala. Some water can be added if needed or if masala dries out.

6.Add the cooked bhindi to the pan and mix well and cook for 5 minutes with medium heat.

7.Serve bhindi masala fry with paratha/chapathi/rice