Bhindi Masala – Okra Curry

Ingredients for gravy:
1 tbs of Oil
½ chopped Onion
3 chopped Tomatoes
2 sliced green chilies
1 tsp Ginger and Garlic Paste
¼ tsp Cumin Seeds
¼ tsp Mustard Seeds
3-4 Curry Leaves
¼ tsp Red Chili Powder
¼ tsp Coriander Powder
¼ tsp Cumin Powder
¼ tsp Turmeric Powder
1 tsp Mango Powder
Salt to taste
1 cup of Water

Ingredients for frying Okra:
1 cup chopped Okra (I used around 25 pieces)
A pinch of Red Chili Powder (just a sprinkle)
A pinch of Turmeric Powder (just a sprinkle)
A pinch of salt
A tbs of Oil

Method to fry the Okra: (This step is necessary to remove the stickiness from the okra).
Wash okra and place on a paper towel to let it dry out.
Okra must be dry before cutting it.
If okra is still wet use a paper towel to wipe down the vegetable.
Use a dry board to cut the okra into pieces.
While cutting into pieces if your knife gets to sticky keep cleaning it with a paper towel. (Be careful not to cut yourself ☺)
Heat the oil in a non-stick pan.
Add the chopped okra with the spices and salt.
Fry till the sides of the okra start getting brown and the stickiness is almost gone.
(Use a flat spatula to turn the okra be careful not to break it.)
You will start smelling a nice aroma of the cooked okra.

Method for the gravy:
Heat oil in a pan, add the Cumin and Mustard Seeds.
Add the curry leaves.
Let the seeds sputter and add the chopped Onions and fry till they turn translucent.
Add the sliced green chilies.
Add the Tomatoes and cook till soft.
Add 1 tsp of Ginger and Garlic Paste.
Cook for a few minutes.

Once the tomato gravy starts letting out a bit of the oil.
Add the almost cooked okra pieces to it.
Add all the spices (Red Chili Powder, Coriander Powder, Cumin Powder, Turmeric Powder) and the salt and mix well. (DO NOT ADD THE MANGO POWDER AT THIS POINT!)
Add one cup of water
Let the mixture cook till the water is almost dried up stirring occasionaly.
Be careful not to break the okra pieces.
Add the mango powder (do not add the mango powder before the okra is well done)
Simmer on low for another 5 minutes or till the gravy reaches a consistency of your choice.
Serve hot with Rice or Roti.

Happy Cooking ☺