Quick and Easy Indian Okra Recipe with Air Fryer , Bindha nu Shaak
An easy fresh okra recipe that can be cooked within minutes without the slime! This Indian Okra Recipe with an Air Fryer cooking option is packed with spices such as turmeric, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and coriander powder. It is vegan and can be cooked with a crispy finish. Your love for this healthy green vegetable is about to increase, trust me.
Quick and Easy Okra Recipe
Bhindi Masala Recipes are common in North Indian cooking. However, what I am sharing today is a Gujarati Recipe with medium heat that includes simple spices and one which includes no tomatoes, onions, or garam masala. Instead it has a few simple ingredients that pair well together for a tasty dish. Enjoy the sabji with your favorite roti or give my carrot roti recipe a try for some extra veggies in your diet r
How this recipe came about?
This right here is an old time favorite which is now my children’s favorite recipe. A tradition recipe that dates back generations. Not a spice has changed in this recipe, but the cooking techniques have evolved. So, I don’t know where the recipe originated but I can tell you that it is a family favorite!
Is this recipe kid friendly?
YES! My kids love to eat this at least once a week. I make it with no spice and add large cloves of garlic during the cooking process. This allows me to pull out the cloves of garlic right before serving. Hence, the flavor has been infused but the distinct bite is removed. Serve it with rice or your favorite roti.
Where can I buy okra?
Almost all large grocery stores in the US carry okra, but I understand it can be frustrating when you can’t find them. They are a seasonal item. If you have trouble located this tasty vegetable then be sure to check your local Indian Grocery Store or Asian Grocery Store. Either way, you don’t want to pass up making a tasty Indian Okra Recipe for too long.
Can I add anything else to it?
Yes, you can add other vegetables to this Indian okra recipe! The most common addition to bindha nu shaak is potatoes. Slice them or dice them just be sure to precook them. Some other things you can add to a simple Gujarati Indian Okra Recipe Dish are…
- Sweet Potato
- Carrots
- Broccoli Stems
- Peas
- Asparagus
I prefer to eat it with just okra or a simple potato addition. However, I add these nutritious ingredients when cooking for kids to give them an added boost of vitamins.
Enjoy this fiber filled dish with roti and call it a meal.
How can I Air Fry Okra?
I highly recommend air frying the okra for this bindha nu shaak recipe before you cook it. Not only will it remove the slimy texture of the vegetable, but it will give you a crisp vegetable that is quick to cook with a final stir fry. In fact, this is a common practice when making okra for large events. If you ever attend an Indian Event and okra is being served, 10/10 times it will be oily and that is because it has to be fried to give that non slimy texture. Plus, large quantity of food needs extra oil otherwise it will not look very appetizing. My Dad loved to cook for large events for fun and there was no way around this.
With that said, air frying is definitely a great option and highly recommended. If you do not have an air fryer then simply cook the recipe for a little longer until desired doneness. I prefer okra to be a bit slimy, but not everyone likes that texture.
What’s the best way to cut okra for this recipe?
My mom makes Gujarati Indian Okra Saak every single day in the summer months. Why? because my dad would plant 40 individual okra plants every single year. So we would eat it EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. He was obsessed with this vegetable. How she managed to keep it entertaining was by cutting it different everyday. One day she would cut it lengthwise, another day she would cut it round, etc etc. My tip, if you prefer a crispy texture then cut it very small.
Let’s get cooking!
How to get crispy shaak
- wipe the okra down after washing
- cut the okra and lay them to air dry for about 6-8 hours
- air fry them!
- deep fry the okra before mixing with spices.
How to prep the okra
Start by washing the okra in cold water and wiping each and every single okra with a towel. Then cut the okra to your desired thickness (cooking time will vary based on this). I cut my okra about ¼ inch thick. Pat the dry once again and toss the okra in a little bit of oil.
What kind of air fryer do you use?
What temperature do you cook it in the Air Fryer
I air fry okra at 400 for 5 minutes, then toss it and cook for another 5 minutes. It takes me a few rounds to cook them since I make larger quantities at a time. The timing will vary based on your preference of the end result texture. If you prefer it crispy then be sure to cook it a bit extra.
Feel free to add a sprinkle of chaat masala and eat it as is after they crispen. They taste GREAT!
Final Step
Once the okra is air fried make the bindha nu shaak. Heat a pan with some oil. Then add some mustard seeds and cumin seeds to the oil. After they pop and temper a bit, add some hing and then cook any additional vegetables you want to add to the dish such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, etc. Once those have fully cooked, add the okra and cook for a minute or two. Serve!
Full Recipe Here
📖 Recipe
Indian Okra Recipe
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 lb fresh okra, trimmed and cut small
- ▢ ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- ▢ 1 tablespoon coriander powder
- ▢ ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ▢ ½ teaspoon garlic, finely chopped (or 3 large cloves of garlic that can be tossed in whole when cooking)
- ▢ 1 tablespoon oil
- ▢ ½ cup red potato, skinned and chopped small
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon hing
- ▢ green chili peppers, finely blended (I add 2 thai chilies)
- ▢ salt
ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS IF AIR FRYING
- ▢ turmeric
- ▢ oil
Instructions
AIR FRY OKRA (optional)
- Toss the cut okra in some oil and turmeric powder . Then air fry them at 400 degrees for 5 minutes. Toss and air fry again for an additional 5 minutes. Timing may vary based on the thickness of the okra and quantity in an air fryer. So be sure to keep an eye on it.
- Once done, set it aside. I use the handy towels I recommend so often. Find them here.
COOKING WITH AN AIR FRYER
- Heat oil in a pan on high heat.
- Add cumin seeds and wait for them to slightly pop.
- Add hing and immediately add the potatoes or any other vegetable you choose to add and cook until fully tender.
- Add the AIR FRY PREPPED okra, garlic, and green chilies. Extra turmeric can be added at this point as well. Mix it well.
- Finally, add salt and coriander powder. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Serve hot garnished with fresh cilantro.
COOKING WITHOUT AN AIR FRYER
- Heat oil in a pan on high heat.
- Add cumin seeds and wait for them to slightly pop.
- Add hing and immediately add the potatoes or any other vegetable you choose to add and cook until tender. Otherwise, add the okra.
- Toss the pan to mix the okra instead of using a spatula. This will help prevent any further slime from occurring.
- Add turmeric and toss again. Reduce heat to medium, cover with a lid, and let it cook for for about 7-10 minutes tossing the pan frequently.
- Once the okra is a bit tender and browned, add garlic and green chilies.
- Continue to cook for 5 minutes on medium low heat.
- Add the coriander powder and salt. The okra tends to shrink by the time the dish is cooked and adding salt at the end prevents further smiley texture as well.
- Mix, garnish with fresh chopped cilantro, and serve hot with roti!
Notes
- Wait until the end to add salt to help prevent smily texture and over salting.
- Skip the green chili all together for a non-spicy dish.
Indian Okra Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh okra, trimmed and cut small
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 tablespoon coriander powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic, finely chopped (or 3 large cloves of garlic that can be tossed in whole when cooking)
- 1 tablespoon oil
- ½ cup red potato, skinned and chopped small
- ¼ teaspoon hing
- green chili peppers, finely blended (I add 2 thai chilies)
- salt
ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS IF AIR FRYING
- turmeric
- oil
Instructions
AIR FRY OKRA (optional)
- Toss the cut okra in some oil and turmeric powder . Then air fry them at 400 degrees for 5 minutes. Toss and air fry again for an additional 5 minutes. Timing may vary based on the thickness of the okra and quantity in an air fryer. So be sure to keep an eye on it.
- Once done, set it aside. I use the handy towels I recommend so often. Find them here.
COOKING WITH AN AIR FRYER
- Heat oil in a pan on high heat.
- Add cumin seeds and wait for them to slightly pop.
- Add hing and immediately add the potatoes or any other vegetable you choose to add and cook until fully tender.
- Add the AIR FRY PREPPED okra, garlic, and green chilies. Extra turmeric can be added at this point as well. Mix it well.
- Finally, add salt and coriander powder. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Serve hot garnished with fresh cilantro.
COOKING WITHOUT AN AIR FRYER
- Heat oil in a pan on high heat.
- Add cumin seeds and wait for them to slightly pop.
- Add hing and immediately add the potatoes or any other vegetable you choose to add and cook until tender. Otherwise, add the okra.
- Toss the pan to mix the okra instead of using a spatula. This will help prevent any further slime from occurring.
- Add turmeric and toss again. Reduce heat to medium, cover with a lid, and let it cook for for about 7-10 minutes tossing the pan frequently.
- Once the okra is a bit tender and browned, add garlic and green chilies.
- Continue to cook for 5 minutes on medium low heat.
- Add the coriander powder and salt. The okra tends to shrink by the time the dish is cooked and adding salt at the end prevents further smiley texture as well.
- Mix, garnish with fresh chopped cilantro, and serve hot with roti!
Notes
- Wait until the end to add salt to help prevent smily texture and over salting.
- Skip the green chili all together for a non-spicy dish.
Recipe Courtesy of The Curry Mommy
Keto- Friendly Indian Chicken Seekh Kebabs !
Chicken kebabs in the oven can be cooked 365 days a year! I love cooking them in the oven for ease but you are welcome to try this recipe on a griddle or grill. This easy ground chicken recipe is mixed with herbs and Indian spices. A healthy and Indian keto- friendly and family favorite recipe when served as a wrap or on top of rice.
Healthy Oven Baked Chicken Kebabs
These are an all-time favorite of mine. I have made them for years and they just never get old. Instead, the recipe keeps getting perfected! They can be eaten as an appetizer or even a meal if wrapped in a warm tortilla/naan with some cilantro sauce! There is a cilantro overload in this dish (sorry my cilantro-hating friends). Personally, I think kebabs taste better when spicy. But if you don’t like spice then I recommend using very little garlic, ginger, and green chilies .
What ingredients are needed for Chicken Seekh Kebabs?
- ground chicken
- turmeric
- cilantro
- dried onions
- garlic
- ginger
- salt
- coriander powder
- green garlic (optional)
- egg (optional)
I bake these chicken kebabs in the oven for about 45-50 minutes at 375 degrees and they come out great. No need to flip them, just bake with the water in the tray under. The timing can vary based on the size of the kebabs. These are longer than my hand and about 2-3" in diameter.
Skewing is also optional. If using wooden skewers, then dip them in water for 30 minutes prior to using. Otherwise, I recommend metal skewers which can be bought at any grocery store, target, or even most dollar stores. They are more versatile and a long-term investment because they can be used for almost everything.
EGG IS OPTIONAL
Quick and Easy Chicken Kebab Wrap
Other easy meal ideas
- Creamy Tahini Pasta
- Sev Usal Recipe
- Paneer Butter Masala Recipe (Paneer Makhani)
- Air Fried Frozen Chicken Nuggets
Some tips for chicken kebabs
- The measurements are for spicy kebabs. If you prefer less spicy foods, then use less ginger, garlic, and chili peppers.
- Add water to the bottom of a roasting pan, then place a baking rack over it assuring the two do not touch each other. Place the kebabs on top of the rack and cook. This helps keep the kebabs moist inside.
- Serve with my Cilantro Sauce/Raita
- My current favorite cooking pan is this one right here also available at Target.
- Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken
- Chicken Keema Tacos
- Desi Gravy Chicken Recipe - Tapelu Chicken
- How to Grill Juicy Chicken Breast Tex-Mex Style
📖 Recipe
Chicken Kebabs Baked in the Oven
Ingredients1x2x3x
Chicken Kebabs
- ▢ 1 lb ground chicken
- ▢ 1 tablespoon fresh grated garlic
- ▢ 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- ▢ 1 tablespoon fresh grated green chilis according to your spice tolerance (thai, serrano, jalapeno, etc)
- ▢ ¼ cup fresh chopped cilantro
- ▢ 2 tablespoon fresh chopped GREEN garlic (optional)
- ▢ 5 tablespoon dried chopped onions (key ingredient and replacement for bread crumbs)
- ▢ ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ▢ 1 tablespoon oil (for kebab mixture)
- ▢ 1 egg (optional)
- ▢ fresh grated turmeric (optional)
- ▢ salt
- ▢ oil, for cooking
Instructions
- OVEN BAKED CHICKEN KEBABS
- If using, soak wooden skewers in water for about 30 minutes.
- Mix all of the kebab ingredients together and set it aside while you heat the oven and gather the cooking pans.
- Feel free to marinate for up to 2 days. I sometimes don’t do this and it turns out just fine as well.
- Separate the mixture to make even quantity for each shape you will be making. You can make patties, meatballs, or original long shaped kebabs. Use the skewers if you choose to.
- Heat oven to 375 degrees.
- Put oil on your hands and form kebab shapes making sure each kebab is coated with a good amount of oil.
- Place each kebab on an oven roasting pan and cook for about 30 minutes.
- No flipping required, but the timing can vary depending on size of kebabs. It is best to cook until the center reaches 165 degrees.
- Once cooked, remove from the oven and serve hot.
- SERVING SUGGESTION: Serve as an appetizer with cilantro chutney or for dinner with hot roti, tortilla, naan, or rice. A onion salad and lemon wedge compliment this dish well.
Seekh Kebab Dipping Sauce Recipe
📖 Recipe
Jalapeno Cilantro Sauce
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 cup cilantro, stems and leaves (about 1 bunch of cilantro)
- ▢ 1 cup sour cream (see above for substitutions)
- ▢ 3 cloves fresh garlic (more or less)
- ▢ 1 green chili pepper of choice (jalapeno, thai chili, serrano, etc)
- ▢ salt
- ▢ water (optional)
Instructions
- Blend the cilantro, garlic, and green chili pepper into a fine paste.
- Mix the blended contents with sour cream and some salt. If you prefer a more dressing like consistency, then add some water and mix well.
- Chill in the refrigerator or enjoy immediately.
