Hyderabadi Dahi Bhindi Masala
(from Nandini’s recipe box)
Source: Monsoon Spice
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Serves 4 people
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
-
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!
-
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.
-
Grind soaked cashews and coconut to smooth paste adding the milk used for soaking. Set aside.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
-
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.
-
Done! Serve with rotis or any mixed rice.