Easy Bhindi Masala Recipe: Dinner just got better!

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Bhindi or okra should be crowned the queen of Indian summer vegetables. Be it fried okra, bhindi with gravy, bhujia, bhaaji, okra chips, or bhindi masala, you will find okra everywhere when it is in season. When Indian moms cannot decide what to cook, their pointer also goes automatically to some version of bhindi when it is in season. Thanks to supermarkets, science, and consumerism, now you do not have to wait for the bhindi season to eat your mom’s favorite vegetable. Banter aside, bhindi masala is a staple Indian vegetarian dish that involves stir-fried okra cooked in flavorful Indian spices with tomatoes and yogurt to make a delectable curry dish. You can pair this dish with chapati or plain boiled rice as per your preference. It’s easy, versatile, and amazingly delicious!

Bhindi is the Indian name for okra, and bhindi masala is a masala curry made out of okras. While there are countless recipes for making okra, this particular recipe makes an ideal side dish or even a main dish for a simple lunch or dinner. It is also a very common dish at Indian roadside dhabas, and culturally, it counts as a popular street lunch item. If you want to grab a quick lunch during your lunch break, you can easily find this dish anywhere in India. Similarly, it makes a great tiffin or lunch box item because it is semi-dry and pairs well with both chapati/roti and rice to make a filling meal. However, why go to a dhaba (street vendor) when you can quickly make it at home within 20 minutes? Want to know how? Follow this step-by-step easy masala bhindi recipe and know for yourself. 

Ingredients For Easy Bhindi Masala

Vegetables

Chopped okra is the main vegetable in this recipe, which adds a slightly crunchy texture and a mild, earthy flavor to the dish. The recipe also needs finely chopped onions, which provide a sweet and slightly pungent flavor to the dish as well as add a bit of texture to the overall dish.

Ginger garlic paste

This blend of ginger and garlic provides a pungent and slightly spicy flavor to the dish, which acts as a base for many Indian curries.

Tomato puree and Yogurt

These ingredients make the gravy for this masala. Tomato puree contributes a sweet and tangy flavor to the dish, which balances out the other spices and adds some richness to the sauce. On the other hand, yogurt adds a creamy and tangy flavor to the dish, which helps to balance out the spiciness of the other ingredients.

Salt and spices

Salt helps to enhance the flavors of the other ingredients and balances out any bitterness in the dish. You need cumin seeds, turmeric, red chili powder, coriander powder, and garam masala powder for this recipe. Turmeric provides a bright yellow color to the dish and has a slightly earthy and slightly bitter flavor, while red chili powder provides the spicy kick. Coriander powder gives a slightly sweet and slightly earthy flavor to the dish, which complements the other spices, and garam masala powder lends a warm flavor to the dish. Garam masala powder is popular in Indian cooking to add depth to the flavor of the dish.

Water

Water helps cook the okra and creates a sauce for the dish.

Fresh coriander leaves

These leaves act as a garnish to add some freshness and aroma to the dish. They also provide a slightly sweet and slightly citrusy flavor that complements the other spices in the dish.

Step By Step Instructions For Easy Bhindi Masala

To begin, heat 1 tbsp of oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Then, add the chopped bhindi, along with a little salt and turmeric.

Fry until the bhindi is golden brown, stirring occasionally. Remove the bhindi from the pan and set it aside.

Next, in the same pan, heat 3 tbsp of oil over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and chopped onion and fry until it becomes translucent.

Then, add the ginger garlic paste, turmeric, red chili powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder, and salt. Fry the mixture for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

After that, add the tomato purée to the pan and cook until the oil separates from the mixture.

Once the tomato purée is ready, add the yogurt to the pan and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.

Next, add the fried bhindi back into the pan along with 1/2 cup of water. Mix well and bring it to a boil.

Cover the pan and simmer the mixture for 5 minutes on low heat until the bhindi is cooked through and the sauce has thickened.

Finally, garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot with chapati or rice.

Serving Suggestions For Easy Bhindi Masala

To make the most of your Bhindi Masala, there are several serving suggestions to consider. First and foremost, serve the Bhindi Masala hot with chapati or rice, which make perfect accompaniments for this flavorful dish. If you’re looking to round out the meal, consider serving the Bhindi Masala alongside some dal, chutney or raita, which would complement the spicy flavors of the dish while providing a cooling effect to the palate. To add some crunch to the meal, you can serve some fried idli, dosa or crispy naan bread alongside the Bhindi Masala. If you want to add an extra burst of flavor to the dish, try garnishing it with some lemon wedges or sprinkle some chaat masala on top.

Storage Suggestions

When it comes to storing your Bhindi Masala, there are a few steps to follow to ensure that it stays fresh and flavorful. First, allow the dish to cool down to room temperature before storing it. Once it has cooled, transfer it to an airtight container. Ensure that there is enough space in the container for the curry to expand as it freezes or refrigerates. If you plan on consuming the dish within a day or two, store it in the refrigerator. The Bhindi Masala will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. If you want to store it for a longer period, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to reheat the dish, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator or reheat it on the stove or microwave until it’s hot.

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