One common denominator in my household is our love for Bhindis...served in a Bhinda ni Kadhi, Bhareli Bhindi, Suki Bhindi, Bhindi Masala...this is one veggie that is welcomed by all...without any *looks* from Sahil and baby Siddh. Lately, I don't know what it is, but Sahil gets this smirk on his face as he asks me
" gawd, what is this green stuff?" and he slowly picks away at anything remotely green on his plate. He knows excatly how to push my buttons, you know. But Bhindi, no way...one of his favorite veggie, no comments there.
Anyway, I learned this recipe from my Foi - my dad's sister. She lives in the same town as me, so we often exchange recipes and loads of laughter every time we get together. The pickle masala in this recipe gives it a very nice flavor. There are many ways to prepare bhindi. Some add just plain ajwain seeds in the tadka, while some add jeera and methi seeds. Both flavors taste great...but the ground methi in the pickle masala just gives an added kick, which I like.
Here is what you need for Achari Bhindi:
1 packet Bhindi - yes, again, darn frozen packs for me,you can use fresh if you are lucky.
1 tbsp ready made pickle masala, you can use more, provided you can stand the "heat".
1 tsp Jeera seeds,
1/2 tsp asafoetida,
1 tbsp or less- Oil
t tsp-turmeric powder, salt, and a pinch of sugar- to your taste, yes, the famous pinch of sugar, being the typical Gujju that I am, I add this automatically in every curry that I make...I don't know, but adding this little pinch of sugar makes everything better!
In a wide pan, heat some oil. Add the jeera seeds, asafoetida and the turmeric powder. I often add turmeric powder directly in the "vaghar" or tadka, to give it a nice color and flavor. Add the bhindis, Make sure the heat is on medium high. Give this is whirl for a few minutes rapidly. Cook for a few minutes and add some pickle masala, salt, and the sugar. Cook until done.
Serve hot with some chapatis and yogurt. Here's another look.
Upcoming Recipe Preview: Palak Saag - Spicy Spinach Medley.
Hi Trupti, got to give this one a try too -- I love okra in any way shape or form! Looks scrumptious, thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteSame here, love bhindi :)
ReplyDeleteGreat idea to use pickle masala.I have Swad red hot pickle masala,I will try with my frozen Okra too!;D
ReplyDeleteHi.. this is wonderful. I love bhindi too,in any form! THis is a new version to me... thanx :D
ReplyDeletenow you are talking, err..I mean posting ! What a simple recipe, I love these simple ones. I have always made bhindi by chopping and frying it with onions but this one is even simpler and spicier ( since I looooooove spice )- and you bet, I am gonna try it soon :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd offcourse the music is great !!
ladies finger is the sexiest veggie;) what say girl?
ReplyDeletei have seen this achari masala in indian store. next time i will make a note to buy it. do u have recipe to make this masala trupti? i prefer homemade masala to store ones:)
Hi Trupti,
ReplyDeleteGreat blog!! I love Gujarati food - I was born and brought up in Gujarat in a South Indian home.:) I have just had some recipes you have posted at friends' places or at restaurants back in Gujarat. I would love to try out some of those recipes from your blog.
Good work!!
Never use Pickle masala this way. I too have a packet of okra in the freezer. Was very unsure the frozen ones make a good curry. Now I can cook it confidently.
ReplyDeleteWill be trying your version too. Good idea to use pickle masala.
ReplyDeleteHi Trupti, I also like the achaari bhindi with mango pickly masala , it gives it a nice twist..my mouth has already started watering :-)
ReplyDelete-Sushma
Linda: you're welcome! try it sometime...
ReplyDeleteSandeepa: me too, LOVE it!
Ashaji:You will like it!
Manasi: yeah, it was new to me too...but now it's a much loved dish!
NZ: hehe...yep,this is simple...try it and let me know!
Sia: oh yeah....and so elegant too! I wrote you back...check your blog.
Sana: welcome! hope you will try my recipes!
Manjula: oh yes, I have got used to cooking with frozen stuff now! try this, I think you will like it!
Sri: yeah..pickle masala adds a really nice twist!
Sushma: I love this stuff every time I make it..You will enjoy it!
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ReplyDeletei love bhindi too and this looks great. i also saw this nice bhindi recipe video from a sweet indian lady at
ReplyDeleteHi Trupti, Bhindi is looking delicious:)Using Pickle masala is a good idea:)Luv bhindis:)
ReplyDeleteThe achari bhindi looks lip smacking Trupti, I am going to try this out as soon as I buy fresh bhindis.
ReplyDeleteHi Trupti first of all my heart congratulations for the nomination. Good luck. Next your little chef event is going on well I suppose. Congrats! Then sure I will send my entry to Family/Friends in the kitchen event before the due date. Coming back to your posts, I went through from Apple SB Galatte to Okra with Pickle masala. Very interesting. The Mexican Pista is really tempting. Hope your little ones are doing well. Wishing you good luck and good day. Viji
ReplyDeleteBhindi anytime, anyday, anyway!! Nice recipe here...pickled bhindis!!:)
ReplyDeleteWow Trupti, Achari Okra is so new to me. Pickle masala, hmnn never tried it. Gottu check for it.
ReplyDeleteThanx
Oh..okra..i just love it..i also just posted an okra dish..This one looks delicious..
ReplyDeletehi trupti
ReplyDeletevery lovely recipe..with pickle masala..just i am thinking of that taste and it is making me hungry..:-)thanks for sharing dear..
I love bhindi, no matter how its made, whether stuffed or pan fried or Achari. Yours is looking perfect and mouthwatering. Great Gujarati recipe, Trupti.
ReplyDeleteHey Trupti, came back to tell you that after looking at that Achari bhindi of yours, I had to try it yesterday itself. So went out and bought some fresh bhindis, some Pickle mix ( it was there in the indian store, but not branded )but I got it anyway and made it - and it was amazingly good, I mean the recipe is so simple that you really wonder if it will taste good or not.
ReplyDeleteEveryone loved it except Aman who turned beet red them moment it touchd his tongue and poor thing had to run and brush his teeth immiediately to get rid of the spicyness !! And Ishi had a great time laughing at him for being a baby and not being able to tolerate even the slightest of the spices cos she is like me, absolutely loves spicy food !!!!!!
Trupti congratulations on the nomination!I luuuuve okra,like u i find it hard to get some fresh okra here.Have bookmarked this recipe.What a wonderful music u have on your blog,i just open your blog and listened to all the tracks twice at a stretch.From which albums are those?
ReplyDeleteWe love bhindi too, never thought of doing the Achari spicing with it. Must try, thanks for the idea.
ReplyDelete