Gujarati Bhinda Nu Shaak (Fresh or Frozen)
Delicious traditional Indian okra recipe – bhinda nu shaak!
Bhinda nu shaak is an easy introductory shaak and an Indian okra recipe. This is a Gujarati recipe and it is so quick to make and ready under 20 minutes.
Bhinda means okra. Shaak is a dish made of vegetables and spices. So there are many shaak recipes. Bhinda (okra) nu shaak is one of my favorite Indian recipes.
Okra is cooked with a tiny bit of oil and then cooked until there are little crispy bits. It is often served with rotli (in Hindi known as roti) or other Indian flatbreads. There are other versions in which okra is stuffed (Bharela Bhinda Nu Shaak) or made with potatoes (bhinda bateta nu shaak).
I think a lot of people find Indian cooking overwhelming. Bhinda nu shaak is the perfect starter recipe to get you going and help you see how easy it is! I find it easy because okra is easy to cut and you only need a handful of spices. Preferably use baby okra which is the type usually found at Indian grocery stores. The texture of a few other types can be a little tougher.
This is perfect for a vegetarian Indian dinner or lunch! If you want to pair it with a traditional Gujarati sweet, try sukhdi!
Prepping Okra
Wash and dry thoroughly! Set aside in sun to dry if you have time.
Then cut off the top and tip. Cut into 1/2 inch circles.
How do I make gujarati bhinda nu shaak (Indian okra recipe)?
- Prep the okra – cut off top and tip and cut in approximately ½ inch circles
- Heat oil in pan. Once hot add in mustard seeds and let splutter then add in asofoetida.
- Add okra to pan and mix. Put on low-medium. Cook for 10 minutes. Mix every other minute to allow it to brown a bit but not burn.
- Add spices and mix, let cook 1 minute.
- Add salt and mix. Turn off gas.
- Optionally top with chopped coriander and serve
Preventing slimy okra
The simple answer is do not introduce moisture to prevent slimy okra. After washing okra, make sure to either towel dry completely or leave out on a napkin until completely dry before cutting them. If you can leave them in a sunny spot, even better!
When cooking, do not add salt until the end. Salt draws out moisture from okra so I add it last to bhindi nu shaak.
Using frozen okra
You can definitely use frozen okra to make bhinda nu shaak. I prefer fresh but frozen works as well. I would just be careful by making sure they are thoroughly dried to prevent slimy okra.
Bhinda nu shaak in an instant pot
This Indian okra recipe can definitely be made in an instant pot. I would just do the following with an instant pot:
- Saute mode – heat oil, splutter mustard seeds, add bhinda (okra)
- Cook 2 minutes Manual Pressure
- Quick release
- Mix in spices and close for 5 minutes before serving
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Looking For Other Traditional Indian Dishes?
Gajar ka Halwa (Indian carrot pudding)
Tindora nu shaak, peas cauliflower nu shaak, karela nu shaak or sukhi bhaji are other great and easy vegetable dishes.
In the summer, mango ras is delicious to serve on the side!
Try it? Leave a review, love to hear feedback! Or tag me on Instagram @some_indian_girl
Gujarati Bhinda Nu Shaak (Fresh or Frozen)
Equipment
- 1 Pot
Ingredients
- 6 cups okra chopped
- 3 tbsp oil
- ½ tsp mustard seeds
- ¼ tsp asofoetida hing
- 1½ tsp cumin and coriander powder dhana jeeru blend
- ½ tsp red chilli powder lal marchu
- ¼ tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Add oil to pan. Once heated add mustard seeds and let splutter/cook briefly
- Add cut okra. Put gas on low-medium. Cook 10 minutes, stirring every other minute to prevent burning.
- Add all spices except salt and mix and cook 1 minute. Add salt and mix. Turn off gas.
- Serve
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