Bhindi Sambhariya - Stuffed Okra

Okra was my favourite vegetable as a child. My mom would make me an okra side dish pretty much every week. Most of the time, it was the simple stir fried okra. And it was mostly eaten with rasam and rice. My son also shares this love of Okra and I always try to get some good okra and prepare a side dish for him




This okra side dish goes particularly well with rotis. The key to making a good okra dish is to select tender and fresh okra. Smaller sized ones work better for this recipe.

Ingredients

Okra/Ladies Finger 400gms (about 40 small)
Besan (Chickpea Flour) 1/2 cup
Turmeric Powder 1/2 tsp
Chilli Powder 1 tsp
Coriander Powder 1/2 tsp
Cumin Powder 1/2 tsp
Sugar 1 tsp
Coriander leaves finely chopped 2 tbsp

Oil and salt to taste

Method of Preparation

1. Combine the besan, turmeric powder, chilli powder, coriander powder and cumin powder in a pan.

2. Cook in a low flame till the mix starts to brown and the raw smell is gone. Keep stirring continuously.

3. Transfer to a bowl. Once cooled, add sugar, salt and coriander leaves. Mix well.

4. Wash and pat dry the Okra.

5. Cut off the ends and make slits in all of them.

6. Fill these slits with the besan mix.

7. Heat a little oil in a pan. Add the Okra few at a time. I cooked them in 3 batches. Cook one side and gently turn and cook the other sides. It will be done in a few minutes.

Serve with some warm rotis.