Bhindi, also called okra, is a popular vegetable in India. Growing up, it was one of my favorite vegetables. Even though many relate okra to being slimy and dislike it, when appropriately cooked, okra can be the most delicious vegetable to enjoy. If you enjoy okra dishes like me, check out Bharwa Bhindi, Crispy Roasted Okra, Kurkuri Bhindi, and my most popular Bhindi Masala recipes. I learned this Bhindi do pyaza recipe from my mom when she was visiting last summer. It goes well with a simple Indian meal – dal, roti, and raita.
Watch How to Make Bhindi do Pyaza
Why is it called Bhindi do Pyaza?
Bhindi do pyaza literally translates to okra with twice the onions. Crunchy okra cooked with sweet sautéed onions, aromatic garlic, and flavorful spices. You can also call this recipe “pyaaz wali bhindi“.
There are a couple of theories about why this bhindi recipe with onions is called Bhindi do pyaza.
One is that it has double the onions, and the other uses onions cut in two ways – diced and pearled. In my opinion, double the onions = double the taste.
In North India, bhindi is a popular dish to order at restaurants. It is also easy to make and cooks quickly. The main effort is typically cutting the bhindi.
Okra is also a nutritious vegetable – low in calories and high in fiber, potassium, and vitamins.
Ingredients
How to make it?
In many recipes, you will see that the okra and onions are sautéed separately and then mixed. I like to make it a one-time easy process, so I cook them together.
Start rinsing and completely dry the okra with paper towels or a kitchen towel. You can also rinse and leave it to air dry overnight on a kitchen towel to save some effort. Cut dried okra into rounds, discarding the top and bottom.
Cut the onions in two ways – Dice one cup of onions. Cut about 1 cup of onions into squares, and separate each layer. If you have small pearl onions, you can cut them in half and separate each peel.
Heat a pan on medium heat. Add oil to it, and let it heat. If using mustard oil, heat the oil till it smokes. Add cumin seeds, green chili pepper, garlic, and sauté for a few seconds. Add the sliced onion and saute for a few minutes. You want the onions to soften, not brown.
Now add the chopped bhindi, turmeric, and salt. Mix well. Cover with a lid and cook for 3-4 minutes. Remove the lid.
Add the onion squares. Add the coriander powder, cumin powder, and red chili powder. Stir gently, lower the heat, and cook for 5-7 more minutes until the bhindi is cooked through. Add the amchur powder. Gently stir and cook for another 2 minutes.
Turn off the heat, and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro leaves. Bhindi do pyaza is ready to be enjoyed.
Pro-Tips to make non-slimy Bhindi
Dry: Wash the okra first, and dry thoroughly using a kitchen towel or paper towel. You can also wash and leave it to dry on a kitchen towel overnight. Do not over-stir: When cooking bhindi, stir it very gently. We don’t want to over-stir and break them while cooking. Tangy ingredient: To make the perfect non-slimy bhindi, add tangy ingredients such as tomato, amchur powder, or lime juice. I add tomatoes to my bhindi masala recipe and amchur powder in this one.
Can I use frozen okra?
It is best to use fresh okra in most cases. However, if you don’t have an option, you can still make this stir fry with frozen okra. Thaw the frozen okra in a colander or on a paper towel. Dab with paper towels to remove any extra liquid. Then cook the okra uncovered in the recipe. I suggest not using a lid at all. And make sure to add amchur/dry mango powder or lime juice at the end.
How to Serve?
Serve this bhindi as a side with roti or parathas, along with dal and/or raita. You can also serve it as a side with dal and rice for a gluten-free dinner. Bhindi do pyaza will also pair well with gluten-free Indian pancakes like besan chilla and moong dal chilla.
Commonly Asked Questions
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