Spicy Okra Curry With Mint( Bendi Masala )

I made this spicy okra indian curry for chapathis. I know not many people like to cook with Okra because of its mushy( gummy ) texture while cooking. If you follow these tips i promise you wont think about it in that way. To prepare any Okra curry, please follow these steps.

1. Wash and drain okra half an hour or one hour before.
2. Okra should be very dry and clean.
3. Never add salt when cooking okra, add it only when the curry is completely done.
4. Add some thick yogurt( curd ) when cooking.
5. Another great tip is to use lemon juice instead of yogurt. This worked like charm for me!
5. And never ever add water when making okra curry ( unless it is a stew, pulusu, sambar etc., )
Hope the above steps would give you the results.



This okra is very simple yet full of flavor and spice. A touch of fresh mint is a lively addition to the plain simple Okra Curry. Mint is like queen of herbs to me since just adding one leaf would add that ZING to any boring dish! Though you add a lot of cilantro instead of Mint, you would still be missing that unique flavor from fresh mint. The tanginess from tomatoes and the fresh flavor from mint makes this okra curry finger licking GOOD! This will be my entry for Weekend Herb Blogging Event!


Ingredients:
2 pounds okra( cleaned and dried )
1 big red onion
1 big tomato( seeded )
2 tbsp thick yogurt
1 tsp turmeric( optional )
1 tsp jeera powder( cumin powder )
2 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp curry powder
2 tsp red chilli powder or 4 chopped green chillies
1 tsp ginger chopped
1 tsp garlic chopped
4 tbsp vegetable oil



Procedure:

• Cut okra in 1/2 inch pieces.
• Chop onions into 1/2 inch pieces
• Chop tomotoes( remove the seeds and juice )
• Heat oil in kadai or wok and add onions, ginger, garlic and okra
• After 5-10 min add thick yogurt so that okra doesnt become mushy
  
• When okra starts to turn into golden brown add the powders and let them coat all the pieces in the curry
  
• Add tomatoes and cook the curry for a little while till the all the moisture id gone
  
• Add salt at the end and decorate curry with chopped coriander and mint leaves

Serve this indian okra curry hot with chapathi, rice or naan.

Tags: bendi masala, bhindi curry, okra curry, okra tips