This Stir-fried Okra or fried Bhindi recipe is a simple yet delicious vegan side-dish recipe which pairs well with hot-off-the-griddle chapatis or Indian Rotis. Bhindi or Okra is a very popular summer vegetable in India and hugely preferred by those who prefer vegetarian meals.
This simple bhindi recipe needs some time and patience but in the end, gives a delicious dish for weekday dinners. Like several other Bengali recipes, this is completely gluten-free, dairy-free & nuts-free.
In this post, I have shared some tricks & tips on how to manage the sliminess of okras in your recipe along with the recipe for bhindi fry.
I believe, eating seasonal fresh vegetables is a major aspect of eating healthy. Okras or Bhindis (also known as Lady’s Finger) are available throughout the summer months of April to September, even till later.
In South-East Asian countries like India, Bhindi is very popular, mainly because it is nutrient-dense and abundantly available. It is rich in vitamins and minerals such as calcium and phosphorus and also comprises a high percentage of dietary fibre.
Tips & Tricks of making Bindi or cooking Okras
Okras or Bhindis are quite infamous for its sliminess. Often people find themselves in a difficult position while prepping this vegetable. With the following tips & tricks, it should be easier for you to cook this vegetable next time.
- Always wash the okras or bhindis before chopping them. Give them a thorough wash and spread them over a dry kitchen towel. Let them dry completely before you start chopping them
- Before chopping, rub some oil on your chopping board and oil to avoid stickiness
- During cooking, do not add water. The sliminess is due to the soluble mucilage which will become worse upon addition of extra water
- Do not add salt in the beginning of the cooking, otherwise it will become more slimy
- Always add something acidic in nature to reduce the sliminess, for instance, lemon juice, vinegar, tomato puree, etc.
How to make Stirfry Bhindi recipe – Ingredients list
- Bhindi or Okras
- Onions
- Ginger
- Green Chilies
- Mustard Oil – alternate would be any other oil
- Lemon Juice – alternate would be vinegar
- Salt
Step-by-step video instructions for this stirfried Bhindi recipe in Bengali style
Written recipe for how to make perfectly fried Bhindi recipe
This Bhindi Bhaji or Stirfried Okra recipe is a simple yet delicious vegan side-dish recipe which pairs well with hot-off-the-griddle chapatis or Indian Rotis. Bhindi or Okra is a very popular summer vegetable in India and hugely preferred by those who prefer vegetarian meals.
- 250 gms Bhindi or Okra Finely sliced
- 1 Onion large, finely chopped
- 1 inch Ginger Grated
- 2 Green Chilies Finely Chopped – adjust as per taste
- 4 tbsp Mustard Oil
- Salt as per taste
- 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
Finely chop the Okras, Onions and Green Chilies and keep them aside.
Heat oil in a pan and add the okras or bhindi, onion, grated ginger and green chilies.
Keep the heat on medium-high and fry everything together. You will notice some sliminess in the beginning. However, as you continue cooking for the next 4-5 minutes, the sliminess will reduce.
Keep stirring the okras and spread them in the pan so that there's uniform frying.
Once you see that they have softened and there's no sliminess, add salt.
Turn off the heat and add lemon juice. Mix everything well and serve.
Have you tried this recipe? I would love to hear about it.
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I tried this today and it came out very well!! Thanks for the recipe Priyanka ❤️
Thank you so much, Harini for stopping by and leaving your kind words.