Growing up in a household where vegetables were always given high preference over meat – like this Dahi Bhindi recipe, I wasn’t always happy during meal times. Like any rebellious child, I despised anything green and considered “healthy” in my Mom’s dictionary.
As a spunky 17 year old starting fresh at college and living in a hostel miles away from the caring tender hands that caressed Mom’s cooking, I had grudgingly succumbed myself to the meals catered at my college campus. To my added disappointment, not only did the food lack in flavour and eye appeal but it also somehow failed in providing me with the limited array of greens that I actually thought were edible, to say the least.
Somehow, between the humdrum of a busy schedule and an even busier college life, I somewhat managed chugging down meals without a moments notice. That is until I got the same dish – mind you, same tasteless flavour and all, for five consecutive meals. Yes, five! And that was where I decided to draw the line and gift myself a pan or two, and some basic help to an edible home-cooked meal. The dreaded dish that made this happen if you wish to know, was okra.
It’s not hard to believe that I sailed through the next few years cooking for myself without so much as a slight glance at okra. Never was there a shopping spree through the fresh produce section where I stopped and smelt the darned vegetable. And never had it, for as long as I can remember, ever taken a spot in my cart. That is, of course, until I met the then would-be Hubby Dear. Like a sudden twist of fate in any classic love story, on one of our first food conversations, Hubby Dear had candidly confessed to having a secret love affair with the dreaded pod.
Now, what was a poor little girl like me supposed to do! I’d heard endless tales of how a man’s heart could easily be won through the deeds done for his stomach. And add to the fact that I had promised to cook him his favourite meal didn’t make my case any easier. So there I was trudging through the fresh produce section, not only smelling, but also picking my first pound of okra, and giving it a place in my cart. And like anyone gifted with an unwanted pet that’s impossible to give away, you accept your kismet and just get used to it. And hopefully eventually, but surely, you’ll learn to love it – just like I did with this Dahi Bhindi recipe!
This Dahi Bhindi recipe is great way to cook to okra. It is a very simple dish bursting with flavour and the addition of yogurt gives this an added punch!
Dahi Bhindi: Okra cooked with Yogurt
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp light cooking oil
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 medium-sized onion thinly sliced
- 35-40 fresh okra cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tbsp coriander powder
- 1/2 tsp amchur powder
- 1/4 tsp garam masala powder
- salt to taste
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt beaten till smooth
Instructions
- Heat oil in a wide non-stick pan and saute cumin seeds till they begin to sizzle. Add in onions and fry for 2-3 minutes on medium-high heat till lightly browned.
- Add in okra and stir-fry on high heat, tossing occasionally, for a few minutes till it starts to brown along the edges and the sliminess starts to disappear.
- Add in spices, season with salt and stir-fry for a few minutes mixing everything well. Lower the heat and slowly stir in the yogurt. Cook covered on low heat for another 1-2 minutes.
This post was originally published in February 2007 and has been recently updated.
If you enjoyed this recipe, then you will surely love my Masala Mushroom and Baingan Bharta recipe as well.
Tried this recipe? Leave a Comment and let me know, also Rate it by clicking the number of stars on the recipe card. Want to share your version with me? Tag me on Instagram @hookedonheat
24 Comments
Deeksha
March 15, 2011Hey,
The dish looks yummy. I am going to try it out today!!! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Richa
November 9, 2010In my house …Okra is everybody’s favorite ..so this recipe gonna hit my kitchen tonight…Thanx Meena..
Soumya
February 24, 2009Hi, i saw ur blog today and got bowled over. I like ur style and presentation. Looking forward for more.
Jayashree
March 23, 2007Hi Meena,
Seeing the pic , felt like picking it out of the screen and start eating it. It looks awesome and am sure tastes awesome too. Can’t wait to give it a try, will let you know how it turned out!!
TGIF,
J
chitra
March 6, 2007Dear Meena,
Your food blog is very nice with wonderful pictures and recipes. I’ve tried Dahi Bhindi. Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to your posts
Babli
March 4, 2007Hi Meena,
I came across your blog a few weeks ago…i’m a beginner to indian cooking…having just moved out from home. This was the first recipe I tried and it was absolutely fabulous!
Thanks for all your recipes…I’m definitely gonna try lots more from your blog!
shaz
February 18, 2007I think this is my favourite indian style dish! I never made it, we always buy it, but it’s just soooooo good!! I will have to give yours a try!
Neha
February 14, 2007Tried this…its delicious…thanks for recipe.
Dilip
February 10, 2007I do love okra…thanks for sharing….great recipe…~smile~
Thanks Dilip!
Esther
February 9, 2007Hello Meena! I love what you’ve done with the place – so bright and airy. Thanks for this okra recipe too! I bought a big bag the other day and just fried them up. They were so good that we ended up eating them by the handful and they didn’t even make it to dinner. I was thinking of what else to do with them. Now I know!
Hey Esther, let me know how it turned out, would love to hear your views on the recipe. Thanks for dropping by!
Sandra
February 8, 2007Dear Meena,
Your recipes are not only simple and easy but very interesting too. Best of all I love reading your articles that go along with the recipe. Keep up the good work.
Kind regards,
Sandra
Arch
February 8, 2007Hi Meenakshi,
Thanks for your nice comments posted on my blog.
You have a very interesting blog will surely be visiting again..
Thanks,
Arch
Revathi
February 8, 2007Somehow fate has its way. i love mutton biryani & my husband detests it. i love sambar, rasam and he does not touch it… Lovely write up
MeltingWok
February 8, 2007Meena hi !! yes, love okras in both curries and stir frys 🙂 I tend to make full use of this vege in the summer, hmm..perhaps I should start early. By the way, do you guys call this drumsticks too ? Thx for sharing 🙂
jai and bee
February 7, 2007mr. okra is one lucky dude. have added you to our bloglist.
Mr. Okra definitely agrees with you Jai & Bee. thanks for adding me!Â
Bengalic Chick
February 7, 2007Thanks for stopping by on by blog. You site is beautiful. I have okra in my fridge, I will have to put your recipe to use. I’m so jealous, I need to find time to cook.
Well then, this would be perfect for you BC, quick and delicious! Let me know how you like it. 🙂
Gilad
February 7, 2007hey, Great Blog !
Thanks Gilad!
Scott at Realepicurean
February 7, 2007Beautiful. I love your site.
Thanks Scott!Â
evinrude
February 7, 2007I love okra! okra tempura, okra stir fry, okra in clear broths, okra in assam fish, okra in fish head curry, you name it, i’ll eat it! yum!
I’m sure you’ll enjoy this then, Evinrude. do give it a try.Â
tigerfish
February 6, 2007I do like okra but it’s slimy for my stir fry. Cooking it as a stew is ok since the “slime” is what is required to thicken the stew. The first (and last) time I cooked okra, it was simple, fried with chilli paste. Maybe I can give okra a second chance 😀
Allowing it to cook covered for a few minutes before adding the spices definitely gets rid of all the stickiness TF. Try it this way and let me know how you like it. 🙂
soumya
February 6, 2007Hey this looks very delicious.The colour everything looks perfect and divine.Thanks for sharing.
Your most welcome Soumya! 🙂
Gini
February 6, 2007That was funny. In our home it is the exact opposite. I am the okra lover and Satish hates it. Whenever I buy okra, he thinks that entitles him to buy something that he shouldn’t be really eating. Men!!
Hehe… tell me about it Gini! Men! ;)Â
Coffee
February 5, 2007Lovely side dish…. I sometimes add about 1/2 to 1 tsp of besan in the curd while beating it and then add it to the okra in the end…… cook for two mins and thats it….. it adds a nice texture to it. 🙂
I like the new look of your blog. 🙂
Thanks Coffee! Â
Esha Udyavar
February 5, 2007Hey Meera. Came across your blog by chance and loved it! I’m an Indian too and I’ve been here in the States for about 7 years. I’m a total foodie and almost went to culinary school, but it didn’t pan out (no pun intended!) I wanted to start my own food blog but staying in the dorms is not conducive to whipping up gourmet dishes and posting pictures but eh…what can one do. I do however, try some of your recipes at my friends place and they turn out fabulously! Where are you based? Looking forward to your posts! =)
Esha
Hey Meera, don’t let that stop you. I’ll look forward to the creation of your blog! I’m based in Ontario, Canada. so which recipes did you try out? Â