Aloo bhindi (Indian style stir-fried okra with potatoes)

Aloo bhindi fry is a simple North Indian style stir fry recipe made with okra and potatoes. It's a vegan and gluten-free dish that is gently flavored with Indian spices and can be served in any Indian meal.

Like most other cuisines, regular Indian home-cooked food is also completely different from what's sold in restaurants around the world. It's a lot simpler and easy to make.

That doesn't mean that home-cooked Indian dishes are less flavorful. In fact, they have more balanced flavors and are healthier too.

Today, I am sharing one such simple Indian-style stir fry recipe called aloo bhindi ki sabzi or just aloo bhindi.

Aloo is the Hindi word for potato and bhindi for okra or lady finger.

So, aloo bhindi is basically stir-fried okra and potatoes.

What goes in aloo bhindi ki sabzi?

To make bhindi aloo fry, you need the ingredients shown below:

Ingredient notes and substitute suggestions

• Okra: Use fresh and tender okra.
• Potato: Any variety of potatoes can be used.
• Dried mango powder: It's used to add sourness to a lot of Indian dishes. You can find this ingredient in the spice section of any Indian grocery store. It's also known as amchoor powder. If you can't find it, add some lime juice once the dish is cooked.
• Cooking oil: In North India, generally, mustard oil is preferred for cooking okra. But, you can use any oil of choice.

How to make (step-by-step instructions)?

Step 1: Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pan. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter. It will take only a few seconds.

Step 2: Add chopped potatoes and cook until they turn golden brown from all the sides. Keep stirring in between.

Step 3: Add chopped green chilies.

Step 4: Add chopped okra.

Step 5: Mix and cook uncovered for 12-15 minutes. Gently stir 2-3 times to make sure it's not burning.

Step 6: Once the okra is cooked, gently push everything towards the edges of the pot and create some space in the center. Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, and coriander powder. Stir them for a few seconds.

Step 7: Add salt and then mix everything. Cook uncovered for another 2-3 minutes and then switch off the stove.

Step 8: Finally, add dried mango powder and mix.

Your quick and easy aloo bhindi masala is ready to be served.

Serving suggestions

Aloo bhindi is usually served hot or warm with any Indian flat bread like roti or paratha. It's a very common meal that is packed by Indian mothers in the school tiffin box for their kids.

You can also serve it as a side dish with rice and any dal to enjoy a complete Indian meal.

How to store?

To store, allow the dish to reach room temperature and then transfer to an air-tight container. It will be fine for 2-3 days.

Can it be frozen?

Yes, bhindi aloo fry can be frozen in freezer-safe containers for 3-4 months.

Reheating tips

The best way to re-heat aloo bhindi or any bhindi dish is by using a microwave as you don't need to stir okra a lot if reheating in a microwave. Okra breaks easily if stirred a lot.

However, if don't want to use a microwave, you can reheat on the stove top also by following a few tips:

1. Use a heavy-bottomed pan to reheat bhindi.
2. Add 1-2 teaspoons of oil to the pan, heat the oil, and then add the dish. This will allow you to stir the dish lesser.
3. If you don't want to add oil, add 1-2 tablespoons of water, cover the pan and then reheat it for a few minutes. Check 1-2 times in between and gently stir if required. Adding a little water to cooked okra won't make it slimy.

Recipe tips and tricks

1. Make sure to wash the okra in advance and ensure it's completely dry when you are cooking it.
2. Cut equal-sized pieces of okra and potatoes.
3. Before adding okra make sure the potatoes are almost cooked.
4. Don't add spices in the beginning otherwise, they will get burned. Add only once okra is cooked.
5. If possible, instead of stirring okra with a spatula try stirring it by moving the pan. This also helps in making it slime-free.
6. Dried mango powder gives a very nice tangy taste to this dish. If you don't have that add some lime juice after switching off the stove.
7. You can also add some sliced onion to it and saute for a few minutes before adding the potatoes.

Frequently asked questions

Other easy Indian okra recipes

If you looking for more easy Indian okra recipes to try, don't miss checking the following links:

1. Bhindi Masala
2. Bharwan Bhindi
3. Bhindi ki sabzi

Simple Indian-style vegetable recipes

Do you want to try cooking other vegetables in the Indian style? The following recipes are worth checking:

1. Aloo Baingan
2. Aloo beans
3. Aloo matar gajar
4. Cabbage poriyal
5. Aloo ke gutke
6. Aloo matar