Bhindi Raita /Okra and Yogurt Dip

Stir fried Okra and tempered yogurt dip

Bhindi /okra is a favourite vegetable of most of us,it is a versatile vegetable which can be made in several ways.I usually made stir fries and stuffed bhindi.The favourite bhindi recipes of my family are kurkuri Bhindi , Hyderabadi Masala Bhindi, and Bhindi Sambhariya

Some people avoid using bhindi due to its slimminess,but there are few tips to avoid that,first you have to wash and wipe okra very well before cutting and don't cook on low flame as it increase its slimminess so cook on medium flame and prefereably without covering the pan,and add some mango powder while stir frying it.

As every one in my family loves okra so I tried this Bhindi raita and we all love this.You can either deep fry bhindi's or shallow fry them ,depends on your personal preference.I made it with both ways depends on the time .In Southern part of India this raita is named as Vendakka Pachdi

This mildly flavoured raita can be served with any vegetable biryani  , Methi thepla or any stuffed paratha,poori or rice -daal combo,goes well with almost any dish.

Prep time-15 min
Cuisine-Indian
Type-side
Serve-4

INGREDIENTS-

• Okra /Bhindi-150 gm
• Yogurt /Dahi- 1 cup
• Chat masala- 1/4 tsp
• Chili powder- 1/3 tsp
• Fresh coriander,chopped- 1 tbsp
• Salt- to taste

Tempering-

• Cooking oil- 1tsp
• Mustard seeds/Rai- 1/2 tsp
• Cumin seeds/Jeera- 1/3 tsp
• Chili powder/Lal mirch- 1/2 tsp
• Curry leaves- 6

PROCEDURE-

1. Soak okra in enough water for 5 minutes and then rub and wash well.
2. Now wipe okra very well with a cloth napkin.
3. Trim both the ends of okra and then make thin slices from the okra.
4. Heat enough oil in a deep pan and deep fry the okra slices in hot oil  till golden and crisp.
5. OR heat 2.5 tbsp oil in a heavy  pan and shallow fry okra slices on medium heat till golden and crisp (add okras in batches)
6. Drain the fried okra on a paper napkin and keep aside.
7. In a bowl add yogurt and whisk well.
8. Add salt,chili powder,fresh coriander, chat masala and some water if needed and mix well.
9. Heat oil in a small pan and add cumin and mustard seeds.
10. When seeds start crackling add curry leaves.
11. Remove the pan from the flame and add chili powder and immedietely pour over the yogurt mixture.
12. Add the fried okra in the yogurt ,mix and serve chilled.

Serving suggestions-serve with paratha ,pulao or daal -rice combo