Hyderabadi Dahi Bhindi Masala

(from Nandini’s recipe box)

Source: Monsoon Spice

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Serves 4 people

Categories: bhindi, gravy

Ingredients

  • 3 cups Bhindi/Okra, washed, dried and cut into small pieces
  • 8 shallots, sliced fine (or use 1 large onion)
  • 2 tomatoes, finely chopped (or 1 tbsp tomato paste)
  • 1 tsp ginger garlic Paste
  • A pinch of sugar (optional)
  • 1 cup yogurt, beaten
  • 1 tbsp grated coconut, fresh/frozen
  • 8 cashew nuts, soaked in warm milk for at least 10 mins
  • A generous pinch of kasuri methi / dried fenugreek leaves
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 1/2 -1 tsp red chilli powder
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1/2 tsp amchur / dry mango powder
  • 1 tsp coriander powder / malli podi
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • Salt to taste
  • For Tempering:
  • 1 tsp Mustard Seeds
  • 1/2 tsp Jeera/Cumin Seeds
  • 1 tsp Urad Dal/Split Black Lentils
  • 2-3 Dry Red Chillies, halved
  • A Pinch of Hing/Asafoetida
  • Few Curry Leaves
  • 1 tbsp Oil

Directions

  1. Sia’s tip: Sprinkle little salt to okra pieces and mix well. Keep it aside for half an hour. This helps in reducing the sliminess while frying the okra. I did this and it worked!

  2. Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a pan and add okra pieces to it. Fry them continuously at high flame till they turn brown retaining their crispiness, about 7-10 mins. Alternatively you can also deep fry them. Transfer these fried okras to a plate lined with kitchen/paper towel and set aside.

  3. Grind soaked cashews and coconut to smooth paste adding the milk used for soaking. Set aside.

  4. Heat oil for tempering in a pan and add mustard seeds to it. When they pop, add cumin seeds, urad dal, dry red chillies, hing and curry leaves and sauté it for a minute till the dal turns golden brown in colour.

  5. Now add finely chopped onions and fry till they turn light golden. Add ginger-garlic paste and fry for another minute. Add all the dry masalas – garam masala, red chilli powder, amchur, turmeric and coriander powder – along with kasuri methi and fry for a minute in sim.

  6. Mix in finely chopped tomatoes (if using) and sauté till they turn pulpy and release their juice, about 2 minutes (or add the tomato paste at this stage). Now add ground cashew-coconut paste and mix well. Keep stirring for a minute.

  7. Add yogurt, sugar and salt to taste and stir well. Depending on the consistency of gravy required, add ½-1 cup of water and mix well. Simmer the gravy and let it cook uncovered for another 5 minutes

  8. Mix in fried okra and adjust salt. Add little more water if you think the gravy is too thick and simmer for another 3-5 minutes.

  9. Done! Serve with rotis or any mixed rice.

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