Bhindi ( Okra aka Lady Finger)

 

Ingredients :

1. 1 pound of Okra. Try to pick slim and long okras. Chop into round discs.1 okra should give you atleast 10-12 pieces. 

2. 1/2 cup mustard oil

3. 1/4 teaspoon Asafoetida 

4. 1 teaspoon fennel seeds

5. 1 teaspoon cumin seeds

6. 1/4 teaspoon turmeric 

7. 1 tablespoon coriander powder 

8. 1/4 teaspoon red chilli powder 

9. 1/2 teaspoon amchur powder ( dry mango powder)

10. Salt to taste 

Method: 

1. Heat the oil in a pan. Keep heat medium. 

2. Add Asafoetida, fennel seeds, cumin seeds and wait for them to splatter. 

3. Add the chopped okra and keep frying. It will release a gum-like substance, just keep frying. It will dissolve as the okra fries. 

4. As the okra turns brown add all other spices and keep frying till it turns a bit crispy. 

5. Turn off heat and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to soak in all the excess oil. 

6. Serve with bread or naan or on a bed of rice and daal. 

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Rajma (Red Kidney Beans curry)

 Rajma ( Red Kidney Beans curry)

Ingredients- 

1. 1 cup Red kidney beans 

2. 1 large red onion 

3. 2 large house tomatoes 

4. 4-5 cloves garlic 

5. 1 green chilli or more (optional)

6. 1 stick cinnamon 

7. 1 big black cardamom 

8. 1 bay leaf 

9. 1/2 teaspoon turmeric 

10. 1/4 teaspoon red chilli powder 

11. 1 teaspoon coriander powder 

12. 1 teaspoon garam masala 

13. 1 tablespoon salt or salt to taste 

14. 4-5 tablespoon cooking oil or ghee 

15. 1/2 cup tomato cooking sauce or paste 

16. 2-3 sprigs of fresh coriander chopped finely. 

Method - 

1. Pressure cook the kidney beans in 5-6 cups of water with the salt in a pressure cooker or instant pot on medium heat for 15-20 mins 

2. Let the beans sit in the pressure to soften. When you open the cooker if the beans are still a little hard then give another 10 minutes of pressure. Set aside 

3. In a frying pan, add oil and heat on medium, add the cinnamon stick, bay leaf and cardamom to the oil until they crackle. 

4. Grind the garlic and onions beforehand together and add to the heated oil. 

5. Keep frying the onions on medium heat until they change colour to light brown. Do not leave them unattended or they will burn. 

6. Grind the tomatoes and green chilli together and add to the frying onions. 

7. Add the rest of the spices to the sauce including the tomato paste/sauce. 

8. Let the mix simmer until the oil separates. 

9. Add the boiled kidney beans to the mix. 

10. Stir and keep mixing for 10-15 mins. 

11. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve on a bed of rice or with naan.