Recipe- Easy To Make Bharwa Bhindi

Bharwan bhindi is an easy side dish where bhindi or okra is stuffed with a besan (chickpea flour/gram flour) and spice mixture and is shallow-fried. "Bharwa" means stuffed and in this recipe, orka is stuffed with a spicy filling and is shallow-fried. This vegan dish goes very well with both rice and paratha/roti.

Ingredients

1 lb okra (bhindi)
2 tablespoon oil
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon cilantro

For the masala stuffing

¼ cup besan gram flour/chickpea flour
2 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon chili powder or cayenne (adjust as per taste)
1 teaspoon amchur (dry mango powder)
1 teaspoon garam masala
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
Salt to taste
2 teaspoon oil

Method

Make the masala stuffing

- Dry roast the besan on low flame until the raw smell goes. Let it cool completely.

- Once the besan cools, add all the powdered spices (ground coriander, ground cumin, ground turmeric, chili powder, amchur, and garam masala), fennel seeds, and salt. Mix well.

- Add the oil and mix. The stuffing is ready.

Fill the okra

- Wash and pat dry the bhindi completely.

- Trim the crown and tip of the bhindi.

- Using a sharp knife, make a slit in the bhindi taking care not to split it into two parts. The bhindi should still be intact at the other end.

- Carefully, stuff the masala into the slit in the bhindi. Repeat with the rest of the bhindi.

Shallow fry

- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a frying pan. Place the bhindi in a single layer and let it fry for 2-3 minutes.

- Reduce the heat, and add any remaining stuffing. Cover, and cook for a further 4-5 minutes.

- Carefully flip the bhindi and cook for 5-6 minutes or until they are completely done.

- Turn off the heat and add lemon juice and cilantro.