Ingredients
Method
- Make sure the okra is completely dry, then trim and cut into 1-inch pieces. Wet okra turns slimy.
- Heat 2 tbsp oil and fry the okra on medium-high, uncovered, for 8 to 10 minutes until lightly browned. Remove.
- Add the remaining oil, cumin, then the onion, and cook until golden. Add the tomato and powdered spices and cook until soft.
- Return the okra, add salt and amchur, and toss for 2 minutes. Add salt only at the end so the okra stays crisp.
The spices that matter
The most common first spice in a tadka: crackle the seeds in hot oil or ghee before adding onions, dal or vegetables. Roasted and ground, it goes int…
No cumin? Caraway or shahi jeera are the closest whole-seed swaps. For ground cumin, use a little extra ground coriander with a pinch of chilli.
A pinch goes into almost every dal, sabzi and curry, usually with the onions or straight into the dal as it boils. Fresh turmeric root is pickled in …
No turmeric? There is no real substitute for flavour. For colour only, a tiny pinch of saffron or Kashmiri chilli changes the shade, but not the taste.
Ground coriander is the bulk of most curry bases, often used in larger quantities than any other spice. Whole seeds are roasted for sambar, rasam and…
No coriander seed? A mix of a little cumin and a pinch of fennel gives a similar warmth. Fresh coriander leaves are a different flavour and not a substitute.
Adds sourness without liquid to chana masala, bhindi, samosa filling and chaat masala.
No dry mango powder? Lemon or lime juice, or a little tamarind.
Adds heat to curries, dals, marinades and snacks. Most kitchens keep a hot powder for heat and Kashmiri chilli for colour.
No red chilli powder? Cayenne pepper is the closest swap. Mix with Kashmiri chilli or paprika to get colour with less heat.
Salt, oil or ghee, onions, ginger, garlic and fresh herbs are assumed. See how to make a tadka for the order to add whole spices.
Dishes with similar spices
Frequently asked questions
How long does bhindi masala take to make?
About 10 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
What spices are in bhindi masala?
The essentials are cumin, turmeric, coriander seed, dry mango powder, red chilli powder.
Tips from travellers
Use Bhindi masala differently at home? Share your tip. The first good one goes right here.