Dahi Bhindi/Okra Yogurt Curry

May 12, 2021mayurisjikoni
Blog post

EVENT: A- Z RECIPE CHALLENGE

THEME : AN INGREDIENT BEGINNING WITH THE LETTER Y

RECIPE: DAHI BHINDI/OKRA YOGURT CURRY

Dahi Bhindi/Okra Yogurt Curry is creamy, slightly spicy and tangy curry that goes well with any Indian Flatbread like roti, paratha, naan or rice. An easy curry to prepare, it is a different way to enjoy okra or bhindi from the usual dry preparation.

What is Okra?

Okra also goes by the name lady’s fingers or gumbo. It is a flowering plant and okra is the edible seed pod of the plant. Did you know that it belongs to the same family as hibiscus and cotton? Popularly known as bhindi or bhinda in India, it is a favorite of many, young and old. Raw okra can be slimy but on cooking it disappears especially when cooked with an acidic ingredient like lemon, yogurt, vinegar, etc.

What is Yogurt?

Yogurt is basically a fermented dairy product. Bacterial fermentation of milk results into yogurt. Interestingly, the word yogurt comes from Turkey which refers to thick tart milk. However, yogurt did not sort of originate from there. In fact many cultures world over kept animals for milk which when left I containers would turn to yogurt.

Yogurt Based Dishes 

My family love yogurt. In fact every day we tend to either have a glass of salty lassi or yogurt. So no doubt I have several recipes that include yogurt. In fact, yogurt is a rich source of calcium and protein. Also the bacteria present in yogurt are very good for the digestive system. However, sweetened yogurt is not too healthy if consumed on a daily basis.

A bit about the group

A – Z Recipe Challenge group started by fellow bloggers Vidya and Jolly, is themed based. This month we have to use any ingredient whose English name begins with the letter Y.  Not a wide choice of ingredients but still manageable with ingredients like yogurt, yam, yucca, yardlong beans, yeast, yolk, etc. I decided to use my favorite, yogurt.

I had thought of preparing a Mhogo Chaat, mhogo is the Kiswahili name for cassava or yucca. However, I guess that recipe will have to wait till I get some fresh yucca.

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What Do You Serve With Dahi Bhindi/Okra Yogurt Curry?

It goes really well with roti, phulka, parathas or naan. However, can by all means serve it with some rice too.

Ingredients Required For Dahi Bhindi/Okra Yogurt Curry:

  • Fresh Okra – Lady’s Fingers, bhindi or bhinda. Make sure they are tender. Best way to check is try and snap off the tail with your thumb. If it snaps off easily then the okra is tender. If it doesn’t and appears woody, don’t use those as they will not cook well. When you wash the okra it is important to dry them with a kitchen towel. Wet okra becomes too slimy.
  • Plain Yogurt – homemade or ready made.
  • Oil – any vegetable oil of your choice
  • Chickpea Flour – besan, chana flour.
  • Salt – add according to your taste
  • Onion – peeled and finely chopped. Can use red, white or yellow onion.
  • Fresh Ginger – minced or paste
  • Green Chillis – in paste form or finely chopped
  • Fresh Garlic – peeled and finely chopped or paste
  • Curry Leaves – kari patta, limdi.
  • Fenugreek Seeds – methi dana
  • Mustard Seeds – rai
  • Cumin Seeds – jeera, jiru
  • Coriander Powder  – dhania powder
  • Turmeric Powder – haldi, hardar
  • Kasuri Methi – dried fenugreek leaves
  • Garam Masala – if you don’t have any, just add about ½ tsp cinnamon powder and ¼ tsp clove powder
  • Fresh Coriander – chopped

 

Dietary Tips:

  • Gluten Free
  • For a vegan version replace dairy yogurt with vegan yogurt.

Dahi Bhindi/Okra Yogurt Curry

mayurisjikoni
Dahi Bhindi/Okra Yogurt Curry is creamy, slightly spicy and tangy curry that goes well with any Indian Flatbread like roti, paratha, naan or rice. An easy curry to prepare, it is a different way to enjoy okra or bhindi from the usual dry preparation.
5 from 8 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course sabji, Side Dish
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 250 g okra, bhindi
  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 1 cup onion finely chopped
  • 1 -1½ tsp salt
  • 3 tbsp oil
  • ¼ tsp turmeric powder
  • 6-8 fenugreek seeds
  • ½ tsp mustard seeds
  • ½ tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp ginger paste
  • 1 tsp green chilli paste
  • 1 tsp ginger paste
  • 2 tbsp chickpea flour, besan
  • 1-2 dry red chillis whole
  • 1 sprig curry leaves
  • 1 tbsp kasuri methi
  • 1 tsp coriander powder
  • ¼ tsp garam masala
  • 2-3 tbsp fresh coriander chopped

Instructions
 

  • PREPARE THE OKRA/ BHINDI
  • Wash and wipe the okra with a kitchen towel.
  • Trim the ends.
  • Cut the okra into pieces about 1-1½ inch long.

STIR FRY THE OKRA/BHINDI

  • Heat 2 tbsp of oil from the measured amount in a wide pan over medium heat.
  • When it becomes hot, add the chopped okra/ bhindi.
  • Sprinkle some salt from the measured amount, but not too much.
  • Add sprinkle a generous pinch of the turmeric powder from the measured amount.
  • Stir fry the okra/bhindi for 5 minutes.
  • Remove the okra/bhindi from the pan using a slotted spoon and keep on the side till required.

PREPARATION OF THE DAHI BHINDI/OKRA YOGURT CURRY:

  • Add the remaining oil in the wide pan. Heat it over medium heat.
  • When the oil is hot, add fenugreek seeds first. Then add mustard seeds and cumin seeds.
  • Add the curry leaves and dried red chillis.Mix well.
  • Add chopped onion. Stir fry till they become soft.
  • Lower the heat. Add chickpea flour/ besan. Stir fry till it becomes light pink in colour.
  • Add garlic paste, and stir fry for a minute. Add ginger and green chilli pastes and stir fry for 30 seconds or so.
  • Add kasuri methi, salt and turmeric powder. Mix well.
  • Add yogurt and keep stirring constantly till the curry begins to thicken.
  • Add coriander powder and garam masala. Mix well.
  • Add the stir fried okra/bhindi. Mix well.
  • Allow the curry to cook over low heat till the okra/bhindi gets cooked. It should not be too soft and mushy. Should have a bite to it but must not be raw.
  • Garnish with chopped coriander and serve hot with roti, paratha, phulka, naan or rice.
Keyword dahi bhindi, okra yogurt curry, yogurt

Pin For Later:

 

A little request:

If you do try this recipe then please either

  • add a comment below,
  • send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
  •  tag me as #mayuri_jikoni on Instagram
  • or tag me on Twitter as #Mayuri1962
 

16 Comments

  • Markie

    May 12, 2021 at 4:06 pm

    5 stars
    This okra curry looks so delicious! I can’t wait to give it a go! Thank you fo sharing.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      May 12, 2021 at 6:48 pm

      Most welcome Markie. And enjoy when you try the recipe out.

  • Shobha Keshwani

    May 15, 2021 at 2:58 pm

    5 stars
    Your dahi bhindi looks super tasty. It has a perfect texture and lovely colour. I am going to bookmark this one to try out soon. The pics are simply amazing. You have become a pro now.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      May 15, 2021 at 6:49 pm

      Thank you so much Shobha, please do try dahi bhindi, we love it. And Shobha, not a pro yet.. long way to go but thank you so much.

  • The Girl Next Door

    May 15, 2021 at 8:57 pm

    5 stars
    I adore Dahi Bhindi – actually, I love most dahi-based gravies. The dahi adds so much of flavour to a curry, and this one looks no different. I would like to try out your version some time, and serve it with hot rotis.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      May 15, 2021 at 11:57 pm

      Thank you so much Priya, please try this version, you’ll love it. Its our favorite way to enjoy bhindi.

  • Seema Sriram

    May 17, 2021 at 9:58 am

    5 stars
    I hav never tried dahi bhindi. It looks like certainly comfort meal with rotis. I will surely try this as the temp starts to dip here and we head to winter.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      May 17, 2021 at 7:00 pm

      Thank you Seema, there are times that the veggie vendor brings only bhindi, so have to try different ways to cook it. We love dahi bhindi.

  • Jolly

    May 27, 2021 at 10:42 pm

    5 stars
    Bhindi with yogurt sounds interesting. Both are my favorite ingredients bhindi and yogurt but never tried this combo in a curry recipe. This looks so rich and creamy.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      May 27, 2021 at 10:54 pm

      Thank you so much Jolly, try it, it is so delicious.

  • Poonam Bachhav

    June 1, 2021 at 4:47 am

    5 stars
    Dahi bhindi sounds so delicious! Hi It would be a flavorful treat for my okra loving family ! Would give your version a try.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      June 1, 2021 at 1:23 pm

      Thanks Poonam, it was a hit with hubby and now whenever he sees that I have bought bhindi he requests for dahi bhindi 🙂

  • Kalyani

    June 1, 2021 at 12:20 pm

    5 stars
    My elder one is a HUGe fan of okra and this dahi bhindi will be very well recvd at home. thanks for a great share..

    1. mayurisjikoni

      June 1, 2021 at 1:18 pm

      Thanks Kalyani, hope she enjoys it when you try the recipe out.

  • Preethicuisine

    June 1, 2021 at 2:32 pm

    5 stars
    I love dahi bhindi. So flavourful and delicious. Just need some Garam Phulka to polish it off. Would love to try your version soon.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      June 1, 2021 at 6:40 pm

      Thanks Preethi, yes does go well with phulka too.

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