Jump to the Printable Bhindi ki Sabzi Recipe
At the age of 12 I remember telling a family friend that I knew how to cook. When she asked what I could make I rattled off a list of things and when I said “bhindi” (okra) she stopped me and asked how I cook my Bhindi ki Sabzi. I remember being nervous and subsequently relieved that I could ‘remember’ the recipe. My adult self realizes just how funny that was given that this dish has a grand total of 5 ingredients and that’s including the Bhindi.
This is one of my favorite ways to eat Okra and it is one of the things I make when I want to eat a dish that reminds me of home. It also cooks pretty quickly which is a huge plus in my book.
Cumin and red chilli flakes are besties and when this Okra is cooked in a wok/karhai on a medium high flame they toast up nicely and flavor the Okra without it over cooking. I prefer to use Pakistani or Indian Okra for this dish, the seeds tend to be more delicate that their heftier North American counterparts.
Bhindi ki Sabzi / Spicy Pakistani Okra
Serves 2 as a main, 4 as a side
1 lb Okra
3-4 dried whole red chillies
½ tsp cumin seeds
½ rounded tsp red chilli flakes
½ rounded tsp salt
Oil for cooking (a little less than ¼ cup)
Line up your okra and stack them into as large a pyramid as you can comfortably ‘hold’ while chopping. Slice off the tops and then slice them fairly thinly – approx ½ cm. I ended up with approximately 4 cups chopped.
Heat the oil in a wok over medium high heat. Add the dried chillies and cumin seeds. When the cumin seeds start to brown add the salt and red chilli flakes, stir. I like to add salt and spices straight into my oil because flavoured oil does a nice job of seasoning the vegetables.
Add the Okra and move it around every few minutes gently so as to not mash it. If it starts to stick then add a teeny bit more oil. The okra should be cooked through in 15 minutes. Cooking time can vary though so just do a quick taste test for doneness. Cooked properly it should retain shape, but be slightly soft. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
I love this with simple roti and dahi/yoghurt, but it is also yummy with some daal chawal.
Bhindi ki Sabzi
Ingredients
- 1 lb Okra
- 3-4 dried whole red chillies
- ½ tsp cumin seeds
- ½ rounded tsp red chilli flakes
- ½ rounded tsp salt
- Oil for cooking a little less than ¼ cup
Instructions
- Slice the okra into ½ cm coins.
- Heat oil in a saucepan, when it shimmers add the cumin seeds and dried whole red chillies
- Add the the salt and the chilli flakes to the oil, then add the okra and stir deftly to coat well.
- Cook covered, stirring every few minutes, add a little oil if it starts to stick. Okra should be tender in 15 minutes, sometimes it can take a little longer
I have never used okra as an ingredient before, I love your recipe and will give it a try!
Please do! I am sucker for Okra - including the cornmeal battered Southern style fried Okra .... yum!
Ooooh yummy! Love this!
Thank you!!!
One of favorite.. Especially the besan stuffed okra which is later fried is just yum!!
Wait. That sounds yum - do you have a recipe up for it? If not then you should 😉
Yes, i have the recipe for it. Will put that recipe in my blog soon....
I always like finding new okra recipes. For years I've disliked it because of the sliminess and overall look, but just like eggplant, I think repurposing the vegetable will make it perfect. Thanks for the recipe!
Have you ever tried cornmeal crusted fried okra? yum.
No I haven't actually...seems like I'm totally missing out! lol
I never liked okra growing up and it took adulthood to make me appreciate this vegetable. This recipe looks great!
It is a little...odd to say the least 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Bhindi is also one of my favorite things to whip up when I'm in a hurry. And you're right, only a little seasoning is needed for these. Have you tried using frozen bhindi? After I discovered them there was no turning back lol.
I use it ALL the time! Except for this sabzi, I like this best with fresh bhindi - gives me the crisp chewy outer bits better than frozen
Cute story 🙂 This looks soooo good! I wish I could have it for lunch...
Let me know if you're ever in Toronto... and I'll have you cook for me. JK 🙂
Sarah do you ever use frozen bhindi? I've got a ton stored in the freezer but I'm a bit nervous to cook with it because I have a sneeky feeling its going to become an ikky gooey mess (the question to follow might be: So then why the heck did you buy it?! Answer: Because it looked too convenient to not pick up!!) Any tips/changes to your recipe using frozen bhindi would be appreciated!
hahah I totally buy it - in fact when I am being my usual lazy self and making achari bhindi (in the archives, please dont judge me for the awful pic). For this kind of bhindi I use it too, but the texture isn't as nice as fresh bhindi. it's also a little less hardy so resist the urge to manhandle it (I am an incorrigible poker/prodder/stirrer), Good luck!
I tried this recipe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlQeCWbvtP4&index=22&list=PLG4eAxT-5szsFPFyN1jJhSFwfO3t2SGjf for Okra / Bhindi Sabzi. The true flavour here comes from the dry mango powder (amchur). Hope you like it too.