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

11 comments:

  1. It sounds like you know a lot about cooking okra, which is something I've never cooked. Sounds just delicious. Thanks for helping us celebrate two years of WHB.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Delicious recipes! Thank you for sharing traditional Andhra recipes. They bring back wonderful childhood memories! I have a couple questions on this recipe - When do you add the ginger and garlic, and what is in the "curry" powder?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Desi girl,
    Add ginger and garlic along with onions. Curry powder is mix of cumin, coriander seeds, cloves, cinnamon, elaichi( cardamom ) or garam masala..

    ReplyDelete
  4. I just tried this recipe and it turned out stellar. Only thing I would change is the curry powder, since I have never used such a thing. Instead of curry powder, I put in a tiny bit of garam masala -- 1/4 tsp, not too much. Turned out awesome -- definitely an encore item.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm going to try this now..thanks for the yogurt tip...hope it won't be slimy....

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous10:48 PM

    For one who only likes okra grilled to a crisp, I loved this interesting curry. Even 2 of my 3 kids enjoyed it and asked that we make it again. Great flavor!

    ReplyDelete
  7. marissa10:15 PM

    Just made it and it was delish! thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous11:54 AM

    hi
    i use frozen okra.i find it very sticky and becomes mussy.i add curd when i cook.how can i dry frozen okra

    ReplyDelete
  9. "Anonymous said...
    hi
    i use frozen okra.i find it very sticky and becomes mussy.i add curd when i cook.how can i dry frozen okra"
    Hi, actually i wouldnt recommend to use frozen okra for this curry as the okra needs to be free of moisture. You can happily use frozen one in stew though! you might try deep frying okra and then use it in the curry but I have never done this way though! please let know if this works!

    ReplyDelete
  10. srini gurrapu9:27 PM

    I am relatively newbie [husband] to cooking.. But I volunteered this year to cook 2 times a week.. Have been trying all kinds of recipes. Okra was the ultimate challenge today -- and I was very nervous. But your recipe and techniques made me make the curry in less than 30-40 minutes.. Simultaneously I made rotis. Best dinner for the family. It is a delicious recipe -- and how I would have liked my Okra like a posh Indian restaurant.. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sound like delicious. I made it yesterday and it was fantastic.I will come back on your post for getting more useful recipe...Thanks

    ---------
    Corner china cabinet

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by, reading my posts and leaving your wonderful comments and suggestions. Hope you would visit again for more of my culinary adventures. Happy cooking!!