Okra/ladyfinger(Bhindi) is usually children’s favorite. It could be prepared in many styles but the style I loved the most out of these is Achari Bhindi( pickled Okra) and yes it really tastes like pickles. For this style you need to have an oven or a microwave or a tandoor. Yes you got it, we are going to saute our grilled okra in onion-tomatoes. My friends’ repeated call compelled me to share this secret recipe of my Maasi(Mother’s sister) with you. 🙂

INGREDIENTS:
1. Okra(bhindi) washed and dried – 1 lb
2. Tomatoes washed and finely chopped – 1 cup
3. Onions finely chopped – ¹⁄₂ cup (optional)
4. Green chillies finely chopped – 1 tsp
5. Nigella Sativa/Black onion seeds( kalonji) – 1 tsp
6. Fennel seeds( saunf) – 1 tsp
7. Asafoetida( hing ) – a pinch
8. Mustard seeds( rai) – 1 tsp
9. Dry ginger powder ( soonth) – ¹⁄₂ tsp
10. Cooking oil / Sesame oil (sarso ka tel) – 1 tbsp
11. salt – 1 tsp or to taste
12. Coriander powder – ¹⁄₂ tsp
13. Red chilly powder – ¹⁄₄ tsp
14. Curry powder ( garam masala) – ¹⁄₄ tsp
15. Chaat masala/Fruit chaat masala/amchur powder – ¹⁄₄ tsp

Method:
|Preparation time : 20 mins | Cooking time : 12 mins | Serves 3-4 persons at a time |

In oven:
1. Cut the washed,dried okra lengthwise in an inch long pieces. (I don’t cut them in just half, but in thirds because my daughter likes it that way.Cut according to your liking.)

1. Meanwhile preheat the oven to 500 degree F. Line a greased tray with the cut okras.
   

2. Once the oven is preheated, sprinkle some oil and salt on the okra as well and then place the loaded okra tray in the middle rack of the oven.

3. Cook them on this temperature for 10-12 mins.
   

4. Check after 12 mins, if their color have changed considerably and they have dried and contracted in shape ,they are done. If not, cook for another 2 mins and then check.

5. While your okras are grilling, heat a non-stick pan or wok(kadhai) and add oil in it.
   

6. Now add the onion seeds and mustard seeds. Let them crackle.Next add saunf.
   

7. When they start crackling add hing and onions and saute them till pinkish in color.
   

8. Add salt, dry ginger powder, red chilly powder , garam masala, tomatoes, chillies and stir well till nicely mixed.
   

9. When this masala (spices mix) is roasted well ,turn off the heat.
   

10. Add the grilled okra to the masala and saute them again for 2 mins covered in pan.
    

11. In the end add the chaat masala and mix well in the okra. Your hot grilled okra is ready to gorge and serve!!
    In microwave:

12. Set the microwave to Grill mode on high settings. Preheat it for 3-4 mins.

13. Now place the metal tray loaded with okras in it.

14. Cook for 3-4 mins or until brownish green in color.

15. Transfer them to a cool bowl.

16. Follow step 6 to 12 from above.
    

In Tandoor :
1. Same procedure here too. We will need a tray which is tandoor safe for this purpose.

1. After preheating the tandoor(electric grill) line the okras in it. Please don’t add oil to the okras here.

2. Grill till you see them changing color and turning little crisp.

3. Follow steps 6 to 12 from above.

Enjoy and share your experiences below!! We love to hear from you!! 😀