Saturday, July 28, 2007

Yellow Dahi Bhindi/Fried Okra with Yogurt


Many have wondered about the origins of this dish where some people speculate it to be a Gujarati dish and then at times as a Maharahstrian preparation. I am quite unsure of this as well, but what I am sure of is its amazing taste. This is one okra dish that never fails to please. It has converted one too many okra haters into okra lovers!! In fact our friend S loved this dish so much, he had his wife make this for him every day for few months....unbelievable but true!!!

So what is this amazingly transformative dish that is so simple to make? Its a yoghurt based okra dish, which can be the star entree of any party! I do think one of the reasons for this version if Okra's popularity is that the deep frying process completely eliminates the usually disliked sliminess of the okra. Those who are averse to deep frying the okra could also just drizzle with some oil and bake it in the oven instead.

Given the yellowness of this dish, I am sending it to Nupur for her 'Y' of Indian vegetables series.

Yellow Dahi Bhindi/Fried Okra with Yogurt
Ingredients
1. 2 cups okra cut in small, bite sized pieces
2. 4 cups plain yogurt
3. 1/2 cup cilantro, finely chopped
4. 3-4 green chilies, grated
5. 1 tsp mustard
6. 3/4 tsp turmeric (this is where the yellowness comes from!)
7. 1 pinch asafetida or hing
8. 2 tbsp Oil for frying the okra. 1 tsp oil for tempering
9. Salt to taste
Method
1. In a deep pan/kadhai, heat the oil. when oil is hot, fry the okra (till crisp) in batches and keep aside on a tissue paper (to drain the excess oil)
2. In a separate bowl, beat the yogurt till its smooth. Keep aside
3. In a pan, heat 1tsp of oil. When hot, add the asafetida, mustard, green chilies, cilantro and salt till it all splutters
4. Remove tempering from heat and add to the yogurt. Do not add the yogurt to the tempering, but add the tempering to the yogurt instead
5. Add the fried okra and mix well.

Server with Paratha or Rice. If you have leftovers of the Dahi Bhindi, so not heat it, but bring it to room temperature and consume!

Enjoy :)

9 comments:

Nupur said...

The combination of vegetables and yogurt is so delicious. That dahi bhindi looks completely mouth-watering!

FH said...

Yummy dish! So yellow and yogurty which both start with Y!:))
Great dish and entry too:)

Dhana said...

Nupur, it surely is such a simple yet great dish. Again, Your Y series roundup was Yummm!

Thanks Asha! I didn't think of the Y in Yogurt..Duh!

Tee said...

Nice colour! My mom used to make this dish but without the turmeric...will try out your recipe next time.

Richa said...

gotta' try this one :)

Dhana said...

Thanks Tee. Ooh, I have never tried it w/o turmeric. Will try that version as well!

Thanks Richa. This is one of the tastiest bhindi dishes, so do lemme know if u try it!

Anonymous said...

Hi Dhana.. I tried the Dahi bhindi yesterday.. and it was simply awesommmmme... infact we finished the entire thing cos we were eating it plain.. without roti or anything as it was yummy.. the only change i did was add curry leaves instead of coriander as i did not have it.. but it was still amazing! Thanks!

Deepti said...

Hey Dhana...I am pucca trying it tonight will update u with the feedback. the recipie is so damn simple!Thanks!

Deepti said...

Hey Dhana...I am pucca trying it tonight will update u with the feedback. the recipie is so damn simple!Thanks!