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Indian Crispy Bhindi (Okra) Raita

Jun 24
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Indian Crispy Bhindi (Okra) Raita

Sharing with you, crispy okra (Indian name: Bhindi), fried and coated in special blend of homemade seasoning, to make a flavorful and an easy yogurt side dish: Bhindi Raita! 

I'm sure you like Okra in Gumbos and even fried with cajon spices....... but, even if you don't like Okra, this spiced yogurt raita with crispy okra will make you fall in love with it! 

Today, I also have a delicious news to share:

My one more recipe published in Magazine!!!

Yesterday, one of my Indian Recipe: Curried Cauliflower, was published in Summer edition of Low Sugar Living Magazine. I'm really excited to share the picture with you! Coming soon!

Creamy Tomato Soup Printed in Go Gluten Free Magazine

Now, back to my Crispy Bhindi (Okra) Raita :)

Crispy Bhindi Raita is very self-sufficient yogurt side. You don't need a big plate filled of Indian food to enjoy this side dish!. My family enjoys it just with plain steamed Basmati Rice or Indian Roti. The crispy and crunchy okra and chilled creamy yogurt, give very good textural contrast to this raita which really needs nothing else! It is safe to say, this side dish can be a lite and delicious main course as well!!

Really, once you try it, you cannot stop eating!!  

Crispy Bhindi Raita | chefdehome.com

Other than vegetables (cucumber, okra, tomatoes, onions etc) added to raita, the key to make a flavorful Indian Raita is Raita Masala (Seasonings)!

Masala (spice mix or seasoning) has lot of variations in Indian cuisine. Even though referred as "masala" in general..... a masala actually can have N variations.... as many as number of curries eaten in India! I mean, a LOT!

We even like to spice up, I mean, add masala in our everyday yogurt side. So, I thought to share here, a quick recipe, to make raita masala from scratch.  Not hot spicy version.... yet very flavorful  and easy, everyday Raita Masala.

This Raita Masala is combination of very commonly used Indian spices and gives LOTS of flavor to Raita. 

At home mostly, I toast fresh cumin seeds to make toasted cumin powder for raita masala. (fresh toasted cumin has lot more flavor.) You are most welcome to toast fresh seeds or use powder, whichever is easily available to you. 

Even if you don't have all ingredients to make raita masala, juts try adding a little crushed roasted cumin to your next Yogurt Dip or Raita and you will know, how much flavor it adds!

Crispy Okra Seasoned with Indian Spices to make Easy Yogurt Dip | chefdehome.com

We eat a lot of Okra in my home. Specially curried okra or spiced okra. I know, some people find it slimy and sticky. However, if okra is cooked: fried or baked, for right amount of time, you can get word's best tasting crispy okra! Sometimes back, I shared Oven Baked Okra Fries recipe. Trust me, friends, Okra Fries were more crunchy that deep-fried potato fries!

For this raita, however, I decided to almost shallow fry bhindi(okra). Thing is, for crispy bhindi raita, I cut okra very thin to have it's taste in every bite. This small size don't need oven to get crispy. Rather I have doubts that it might disappear in oven, before getting crispy :)

To get that crispy texture with less oil..... I use few tbsp oil and a wide pan so that bhindi slices touch the surface of pan and get crispy in less oil. For sure, NO need to take-out whole fryer, full of oil, for this recipe. (PS: Don't judge me picture of step with small pan in recipe instructions. I was really short-on-time to serve dinner, when I took this clicks in small pan!)

This is a delightfully interesting week for Chef De Home. Few of my recipes have made to BuzzFeed, CommuntiyTable, and one of my Indian Recipe has been published in Low Sugar Living Magazine. Really enjoying it! Thanks all you friends for your support and encouragement.

I hope you like this little taste of Masala Cuisine from Indian side of my Kitchen! Enjoy your day - Savita x

A few Indian curries, to enjoy a complete Indian Dinner, at home!

Indian Crispy Bhindi (Okra) Raita

Indian Crispy Bhindi (Okra) Raita
Total Time Prep Time Cook Time Cuisine Indian Category Difficulty Easy Yields 2 Cups Raita (Serves: 4) Notes No. of servings depends on serving size!

Ingredients

    Raita Masala
  • 1 tsp Cumin Powder (toasted seeds, ground, divided)
  • 1 tsp Chaat Masala (divided)
  • 1 tsp Salt (divided)
  • 1/2 tsp Red Pepper Powder (paprika or lal mirch, divided)
  • 1/4 tsp Black Salt (Kala Namak, divided)
  • 1/2 tbsp Sugar (optional)
    • Crispy Bhindi (Okra) Raita
  • 8-10 Okra (bhindi, 1 cup sliced (read instructions))
  • 2 Cup Yogurt (non-fat, plain yogurt (dahi))
  • Canola Oil (for frying)

Directions

Hide Step Photos
  • Step for Recipe - Indian Crispy Bhindi (Okra) Raita
    1. Wash and pat dry bhindi(okra) using a paper or clean kitchen towel. It should be fully dry. Then slice into thin round pieces.
    Additional Notes
    It is important to slice bhindi thin or it will not get good crispy when fried.
    Step for Recipe - Indian Crispy Bhindi (Okra) Raita
    2. Divide all spices listed above into two equal parts. One part will be used to season fried okra and second to season yogurt to make raita. Set aside.
  • Step for Recipe - Indian Crispy Bhindi (Okra) Raita
    3. In a medium bowl, add yogurt and whisk it to make lump-free and smooth. You can use 1-2 tbsp water if yogurt appears to be thick. Add half of the seasoning into yogurt, mix well, and set aside.
    Step for Recipe - Indian Crispy Bhindi (Okra) Raita
    4. Heat few tbsp oil in a small frying/saute pan ( to get 1/2 to max 1 inch layer of oil). Add sliced okra and fry for 2-3 minutes. If pan is small, fry in two batches.
    Additional Notes
    You can also use deep pan, I prefer to shallow fry it in less oil in small pan. Or use a non-stick wide pan with 2 tbsp oil. Remember, you don't need to use a whole lot oil to fry sliced okra.
  • Step for Recipe - Indian Crispy Bhindi (Okra) Raita
    5. Once okra starts turning crispy and brown at edges, remove from fryer to a plate lined with paper towel. Sprinkle remaining spices (masala mix), divided in step 2, and mix gently to distribute spices evenly.
    Additional Notes
    For max flavor, add masala while okra is hot, just out of fryer.
    Step for Recipe - Indian Crispy Bhindi (Okra) Raita
    6. Add half of the fried okra into yogurt and mix well. Keep the second half on side and add it to raita just before serving. This way t will add crunchy and crispy surprise in raita! Enjoy!

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33 comment(s)

  1. Hi Savita, I need to make this fried okra in advance for a party. How best to store the fried okra prior to adding to the yogurt? Can the okra be fried a few days in advance too?
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    Okra will not stay crispy when fried before-hand. However, for 1-2 hours it should be okay. I would wrap it in clean paper towel to store. I hope it helps.

  2. I love this dish, Savita. Tonight will be my 5th time making it.

  3. Looks delicious Savita! I grew up eating okra but haven't had it since moving to the UK and I really miss it!! x

    Thanks, Nadia! Mee to had ton of okra... growing up! It is true, when we live away from home, sometimes things just slip! Whenever I crave for a favorite, I wonder, why haven't I cooked it yet!!! May be .. you should buy some okra and eat :) tc -x

  4. wow congrats Savita!!

    Thanks, Ami!

  5. Looks crispy and delicious! Haven't had okra in a while! Congrats, well done and deserved!

    Thanks, Mira :)

  6. Okay - I NEED this okra!! Fried okra is one of the most delicious things ever, and yours looks so perfect and flavorful! Yum :).

    Annie, thanks! I wish, I can send you some fried okra right now :)

  7. Congrats! That is amazing and very well deserved. I only recently discovered okra, but I love it.

    Dannii, thank you so much! :)

  8. U wont believe but i have been wanting to make this raita. Crisp okra and yogurt just works so well. Congrats on the feature, u deserve it :) wow yummy looking dish here. :) Inviting and super tempting :) Beautiful pics :)

    Shweta, first of thank a lot dear. Second, you should try okra raita soon, I know you will like it!

  9. Congratulations dear Savita..Okra raita looks delicious !!

    Jolly, thanks for lovely words, my friend! I appreciate it!

  10. I love crispy okra on it's own, love the idea of making a raita out of it! I agree - the aroma and taste of freshly toasted and powdered cumin tops it all :) And congratulations that your photograph is in the magazine...:)

    Gauir, I share same love for okra too! our very own favorite bhindi ki sabji! :) Thanks a lot my friend for sweet words! I really appreciate!

  11. Congratulations Savita. Bhindi raita is my favorite and your version is awesome. I am going to try this out soon. YUMMY!

    Kushi, thanks! I hope you like raita when you try!

  12. Congrats Savita!! You deserve it for sure. I have never try raita but these one looks so good and crispy.

    Oriana, thank you so much for kind words. :) I recommend you try raita once, I'm certain you will like it.

  13. Lovely raita:) I too make bhindi raita but the process is different :)Lovely share:)

    Shubha, thanks! I have always made bhindi raita this way. Now, I'm curious to try your version!

  14. Okra raita indeed looks so crispy and indulging, Savita! Lovely Share my dear! :)

    thanks, Anu!

  15. I love crispy bhindi raita! Mmmm this looks mouth-watering!! and congratulations of your recipe getting published in the magazine, yay! :) sending you an email regarding that!

    Thanks! Same to you :)

  16. the combo is just great can have it as such...

    Thanks, Vani!

  17. Congratulations on Ur recipe being published in the Low Sugar Living Magazine.Kudos 2 all the wonderful Recipes U post.The Okra raita is something I will love totally because of its cooling yet very crunchy & crisp flavours imparted by the Okra.I could eat this just with a phulka & need nothing else

    Piyali, thanks my friend! Such a sweet words, I so appreciate!