Masala To Aachari : Try These 7 Different Bhindi Dishes

In addition to being an essential component of many regional cuisines, Bhindi is also culturally significant in traditional Indian recipes. It is widely popular throughout the nation, and every area incorporates bhindi differently.

7 Dishes To Make With Bhindi from Indian cuisine:

1. Bhindi Masala: Okra (bhindi) cooked with a mixture of fragrant spices is the main ingredient in the flavorful Indian dish called Bhindi Masala. The flavour profile is a delightful blend of spicy, nutty, and earthy notes. When cooked to perfection, the okra maintains a slight crunch, and the spices give the dish a rich, savoury flavour. The addition of spices like garam masala, cumin, coriander, and turmeric enhances the flavour profile overall. Rice or Indian bread (roti or naan) go well with Bhindi Masala. Dietary fibre is good for the digestive system, and okra is a good source of it. It may encourage frequent bowel motions and enhance feelings of fullness. 

2. Stuffed Bhindi: Tender okra packed with a spiced mixture is the main ingredient in the flavorful and filling dish known as stuffed bhindi, or stuffed okra. The okra's inherent sweetness and the stuffing's savoury, fragrant flavours combine to create a flavorful combination.  A blend of spices, ground nuts (usually peanuts), and occasionally gramme flour (besan) make up the stuffing. This gives the food a savoury, slightly spicy flavour. Okra keeps its distinctively soft and slightly crunchy texture, which makes a lovely contrast with the flavorful stuffing. The overall flavour profile is enhanced by a combination of aromatic spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala, which results in a dish that is rich and well-seasoned.

3. Kururi Bhindi: Kurkuri Bhindi is a common Indian snack made of deep-fried bhindi (okra) that has been coated in a spiced gram flour (besan) mixture. The crispy and crunchy texture of the gramme flour coating on the bhindi contrasts beautifully with the soft inside of the okra. A variety of spices, including cumin, coriander, turmeric, red chilli powder, and others, are usually used to season the besan coating, giving the meal a flavourful and well-balanced profile. Some Kurkuri Bhindi variations include chaat masala or amchur, which adds a subtle tanginess to the overall flavour.

4. Aachari Bhindi: Aachari Bhindi is a fragrant Indian dish made with pickled okra, or bhindi, seasoned with aachar masala.  Aachari Bhindi is a fragrant Indian dish made with pickled okra, or bhindi, seasoned with aachar masala, a mixture of spices.  The spices used in aachar masala combine to produce a very aromatic profile, which adds to the dish's overall appeal. Bhindi is frequently sautéed or pan-fried until it gets crispy, giving the meal a delicious crunch. Okra's inherent earthy flavour, tanginess, and spice are all nicely balanced in Aachari Bhindi. An enjoyable and well-rounded flavour experience is the end result.

Video Credit: Yooutube/ Hebbars Kitchen

5. Bhindi Pakora: Bhindi pakoras are renowned for having an exterior that is crunchy and crispy but an interior that is still soft from the okra. The flavours of the pakora batter and spices bring out the subtle earthiness of the okra (bhindi). The taste is enhanced by the addition of several spices, including cumin, coriander, turmeric, and chilli, to the batter made of gram flour (besan) used to coat the okra. One way to add flavour to the batter is to add fresh herbs, such as cilantro (coriander). To improve the flavour profile, bhindi pakoras are frequently served with chutneys or sauces like tamarind sauce or mint chutney. 

6. Bhindi Poriyal: This South Indian stir-fry dish, called Bhindi Poriyal, is made with okra, also known as ladyfinger, and a mixture of spices. When cooked properly, bhindi keeps some of its crisp texture, giving the meal a nice texture. The poriyal highlights the subtle, slightly nutty flavour of okra. The dish's aromatic and flavorful profile is enhanced by the addition of curry leaves, mustard seeds, and urad dal (black gramme). Grated coconut can be added to some recipes to give the poriyal sweetness and richness. Sometimes a little tanginess is added to balance the flavours, and this is achieved by adding lemon juice or tamarind. The dish is fragrant due to the tempering of mustard seeds and curry leaves.

7. Bhindi Dahi Sabji: Okra Yoghurt Curry, or "Bhindi Dahi Sabji," is a tasty and wholesome dish that combines yoghurt and okra in an unusual way.  The okra's inherent sliminess is complemented by the creamy, smooth texture of the curry thanks to the yoghurt. Typically, the dish combines the earthy and slightly sweet flavour of okra with the tanginess of yoghurt. Warmth and depth are added by using spices like garam masala, cumin, coriander, and turmeric. Typically, Bhindi Dahi Sabji is not overly spicy. Its subtle spice profile lets the okra and yoghurt flavours come through. The dish's overall flavour profile is enhanced by the yoghurt's subtle tanginess.