Achari Bhindi Recipe
Achari Bhindi Recipe: As a food-loving housewife and a food critic, I have always had a soft spot for Indian cuisine and the diverse flavors it has to offer. And one dish that never fails to impress me is Achari Bhindi, a lip-smacking, tangy and flavorful Okra dish that is sure to tantalize your taste buds. The aroma of the spices, mixed with the delicate and soft texture of the Okra, creates a perfect balance of flavors that is sure to leave you craving for more. The blend of spices, including achari masala, creates an irresistible tangy and spicy taste that pairs perfectly with hot steamed rice or soft rotis.
What is Achari Bhindi?
Achari Bhindi is a popular Indian dish made with Okra, also known as Bhindi, that is cooked in a spicy and tangy pickle masala. The dish is prepared by stir-frying the Okra along with various spices, including achari masala, which gives the dish its unique flavor profile. The dish is usually served as a side dish and pairs perfectly with hot steamed rice or rotis.
Variations of Achari Bhindi Recipe
Aloo Achari Bhindi: This variation of the dish involves adding boiled and mashed potatoes to the mix, which adds a lovely texture and creaminess to the dish.
Paneer Achari Bhindi: Paneer is a type of Indian cheese that is added to this dish to make it more filling and flavorful. The addition of Paneer gives the dish a creamy and rich texture that pairs perfectly with the tangy and spicy flavors of the masala.
Bharwan Bhindi: This variation of the dish involves stuffing the Okra with a spicy and tangy filling made with spices and pickle masala before cooking it. The stuffed Okra is then stir-fried until golden and crispy, making for a truly mouth-watering dish.
Kadhai Bhindi: This variation of the dish is prepared in a Kadhai, a type of Indian wok, with a blend of spices and pickle masala to create a rich and flavorful dish.
Nutrition in Achari Bhindi
Achari Bhindi is a nutritious dish that is low in calories and high in fiber and vitamins. Okra, the main ingredient in the dish, is a great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin K, and potassium. The spices used in the dish are also known for their various health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This dish is a great option for those looking for a flavorful and healthy meal option.
Step by Step Achari Bhindi Recipe
Achari Bhindi Recipe
Ingredients
- 500 grams okra / bhindi bhindi
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 Onions
- 1 inch ginger
- 1 to Tomato
- 1 tsp Cumin (Jeera)
- ½ tsp Fennel (Saunf)
- ¼ tsp Asafoetida / hing
- ¼ tsp mustard seeds / rai
- ¼ tsp fenugreek seeds / methi seeds
- 8 curry leaves
- ¼ tsp nigella seeds
- 1 green chillies
- ¼ cup yogurt / dahi / curd
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp Red Chilli Powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- ¼ cup water
- 5 gms coriander leaves / cilantro
Instructions
Preparation
- Assemble all ingredients together to avoid last minute rush.
- Wash and pat dry okras with a kitchen towel or leave it under fan for 10 minutes or at kitchen counter for half an hour.
- Now, slice each okra into half lengthwise and again each slice into 2 or 3 parts depending on the length.
- Wash and finely chop ginger and coriander leaves.
- Wash and cut onion into two parts and separate each petal in a Bowl. Cut green chilli into thin slices.
- Make smooth puree out of the tomato. You can use store bought tomato puree as well.
- Whisk yogurt a little, so that it becomes smooth.
Cooking
- Heat oil in a Pan or Kadai over medium heat. Now, add chopped bhindi into it. Stir well.
- Cook okra for 10-12 minutes over medium to low heat or until cooked completely, stir occasionally. Remove the cooked okra from the Kadai in a Bowl.
- In the same Kadai, heat 1 tbsp oil and add cumin seeds, fennel seeds, mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, and nigella seeds. Let the seeds crackle and then add asafoetida in it. Stir well. Some like to use mustard oil for this tempering, but since my husband does not like mustard oil so I avoid using it. You can choose if you like! Just make it hot enough before adding spices.
- Now, add the chopped onions, curry leaves and sliced green chili and mix well. Saute onions well until they turn light brown. Then add chopped ginger and saute for a minute or two.
- Add tomato puree, give a nice stir and cook for another 1 minute.
- Keep the flame on low, add the whisked yogurt. Stir continuously while adding yogurt.
- Increase the flame to medium and add salt, turmeric powder, coriander powder and red chilli powder. At this point, you can add ¼ tsp dry mango powder if desired.
- Add water and stir well. Now, add in cooked okra and mix everything very well. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
- Switch off the flame. Before serving, garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
- Serve hot Achari Bhindi with choice of your flatbread!
Equipment Used for This Recipe
Notes & Tips
- More tanginess: You can add 1 tsp of achar masala from your mango pickle for additional tangy flavor.
- Choosing Oil: Feel free to choose any neutral tasting oil. If you like mustard oil, can use for the recipe. I have used canola oil here.
- Salt & Spices: The quantities of salt and spices can be adjusted as per your taste preference.
- Choosing yogurt: Choose tangy yogurt for the recipe but if the yogurt is not tangy enough, could add dry mango powder as well.
- Ingredients & Equipment: Find these Ingredients & Equipment at specialty food stores or online stores. For review of some stores, please refer to the Grocery Review Section on our Website.
Nutrition Information (Note: Approximate)
FAQs – Achari Bhindi Recipe
What is the origin of Achari Bhindi?
Achari Bhindi is a popular North Indian dish that originated in the northern regions of India. The dish gets its name from the word “Achari,” which means pickled, referring to the pickling spices used in the recipe. Bhindi, or ladyfingers, are the main ingredient in this dish. The combination of the tangy and spicy flavors of the pickling spices with the tender and slightly crunchy texture of the bhindi makes this dish a must-try for those who love bold flavors.
What makes Achari Bhindi unique?
Achari Bhindi is unique because of its bold flavors, which come from the pickling spices used in the recipe. These spices include mustard seeds, fennel seeds, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, and red chili powder, among others. The combination of these spices creates a tangy and spicy flavor that is unlike any other. Additionally, the use of bhindi as the main ingredient adds a slight crunch and tenderness to the dish, making it a delightful and unique combination of textures.
What ingredients are used to make Achari Bhindi?
The main ingredients in Achari Bhindi include bhindi (ladyfingers), oil, pickling spices such as mustard seeds, fennel seeds, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, and red chili powder, ginger, garlic, green chili, tomato, and spices such as turmeric and garam masala.
What is the best way to serve Achari Bhindi?
Achari Bhindi is best served hot with roti or rice. The tangy and spicy flavors of the dish are perfectly complemented by the mild and neutral flavors of the roti or rice, making it an excellent main dish for a hearty meal.
Is Achari Bhindi a healthy dish?
Achari Bhindi is a healthy dish because of the main ingredient, bhindi, which is a low-calorie vegetable that is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Additionally, the use of spices in the recipe, such as turmeric and ginger, provide additional health benefits. However, it is best to consume this dish in moderation as it does contain some oil and spices that can increase the calorie count.
Can Achari Bhindi be made vegan or gluten-free?
Yes, Achari Bhindi can easily be made vegan by using oil instead of ghee and can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free spices.
What are some variations of Achari Bhindi?
Achari Bhindi can be made in many variations, such as adding paneer or tofu for a creamier texture, adding different types of vegetables such as bell peppers, onions, or carrots for a more colorful and nutritious dish, or using different types of pickling spices to create a different flavor profile.
See Also:
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