Bhindi (Okra )has always been my go-to veggie, because of sheer vast number of preparations that one can make using Bhindi. The other reason would be the innumerable health benefits that it brings along. Okra also known as lady’s finger in India is a rich source of fiber, vitamin A, C, B and K.
It also supplies your body with calcium, potassium and iron. Being rich in anti-oxidants and phytonutrients is plays important role in reducing risk of heart diseases. High content of folate, makes it a must include vegetable during pregnancy.
I recollect a funny incident that I encountered during my trip to USA couple of years back. I use to go shop my weekly grocery from Walmart. During one such trip when I had planned to buy Okra, I was struggling to find it. I decided to ask for help from one of the Walmart assistants. I asked her to help me find ‘Lady’s fingers’. She smiled looking at me (kind of mischievous smile) and said pointing towards my hands “You have ten of those”. We guffawed at her quick witticism. She helped me find my favorite vegetable and I thanked her. After that incident, I always remind myself, that Americans use the term Okra and not lady’s fingers.
Bhindi Masala is one safe bet recipe. When cooked in Microwave, this preparation becomes very healthy prospect due to minimal usage of oil that goes into this preparation. We can make it more spicy or tangy by altering the quantity of chili powder and dried mango powder (Aamchoor) that are included in the recipe. Most of spices in the ingredient list are easily available in any Indian grocery store or supermarket.
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 2-3
- 250 grams Bhindi(Okra). Wash and pat dry the Okra.Cut them in large sized pieces and make slit lengthwise on each of the pieces.
- 1 large sized onion finely chopped
- 2 medium sized tomatoes pureed
- 2 tbspoon ginger-garlic paste
- ½ tspoon turmeric powder
- 1 tspoon coriander powder
- 2 tspoon red chili powder
- 1 tspoon garam masala powder
- 1 tspoon cumin powder (roasted and grounded in pestle and mortar)
- ½ tspoon dried mango powder
- ½ tspoon dried fenugreek leaves (crush the leaves between your fingers)
- Fresh coriander leaves for garnishing
- Cooking Oil
- Salt
- Take a large microwave safe glass bowl.Add 2 tbspoon oil and chopped onions and mix them well.
- a) Select micro mode b) Set power level to 900W c) Set timer to 1 minute d) Select start
- Onions would turn tender. Now add ginger-garlic paste and mix it well.
- Now keep the bowl back inside microwave for 1 minute at same power level.
- Now add tomato puree to the bowl and cook it in microwave for 1 minute.
- After a min, add turmeric powder, coriander powder, red chili powder, garam masala powder, cumin powder and salt as per taste. Keep the bowl back in microwave for 1 minute.
- After a minute, add cut Okra to the bowl and coat it well with masala.
- Cook the Okra covered for total time of 8 minutes. After 4 minutes pause the timer and stir the Okra
- well.
- a) Select micro mode b) Set power level to 900W c) Set timer to 8 minute d) Select start
- After 4 minutes remove the bowl. Add dried mango powder, dried fenugreek leaves and stir them well.
- Cook the Bhindi masala covered for remainder of 4 minutes. Serve it in a bowl and garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
- Bhindi Masala is best enjoyed with Roti.
What would go best with this vegetable? Well virtually anything and everything. I like to eat this with Plain roti, Paratha, Naan, Poori, Rice-Dal. You can make your own combinations. You would love it when you could shave off some of the cooking time during the rush hours of morning and your kids would also love to carry this vegetable in their lunch box.
You can let us know how this recipe did come out by posting your comments below.
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