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Stuffed Okra / Bharwa Bhindi Curry (Air Fryer, Stove Top)

VegCookBook by Praveena
Bharwa Bhindi, a South Indian style, authentic recipe, for both Dry & Gravy style Curry recipe, using basic ingredients from the pantry. Recipe below has both Stove Top and Air Fryer methods with step wise pics, tips.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Accompaniment, Side Dish
Cuisine Indian, South Indian
Servings 8 okra/bhindi

Equipment

  • Wide Mixing Bowl
  • Frying pan (for stove-top method)
  • Air-Fryer for air-fryer method

Ingredients
  

  • ¼ kg Bhindi / Okra / Bendakaya (8 large size)
  • 3 tablespoons Besan / Gram Glour / Senaga Pindi
  • 2 tablespoons Thick Tamarind Puree / Chinthapandu Gujju
  • ½ teaspoon Turmeric Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Jeera Powder
  • 1 tablespoon Garam Masala Powder / Sambar Powder
  • 1½ teaspoon Red Chilli Powder /Kaaram
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
  • as needed Water
  • as per taste Salt
  • 3 tablespoons Cooking Oil
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh Coriander Leaves (chopped)

Additional Ingredients for making ''GRAVY CURRY":

  • 2 tablespoons Cooking Oil
  • 2 count Onions (medium sized)
  • ½ teaspoon Mustard Seeds
  • ½ teaspoon Whole Cumin / Jeera
  • ¼ teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
  • ¼ teaspoon Salt
  • ¼ cup Water
  • 2 twigs Fresh Curry Leaves

Instructions
 

PREP WORK (common for both methods):

  • In a mixing bowl, add the besan / gram flour, salt, red chilli powder, jeera powder, garam masala powder, lemon juice, tamarind puree, 2 tablespoons of water.
    Mix everyting into a thick paste.
  • Take each of the okra/bhindi, cut off both the edges, make a slit length wise only one side, from top to bottom.
  • Into each of the okra/bhindi, using your hands, stuff the masala mixture as shown.

STOVE TOP METHOD STUFFED OKRA DRY CURRY:

  • Put a frying pan on stove top under medium flame.
    Add 2 tablespoons of oil.
    Gently, place all the stuffed bhindi / okra into the pan. Sprinkle a tablespoons of water.
    Close the pan with lid.
  • Let them steam cook for 5 mins, then open the lid, turn each of them to the other side.
    Close again with lid. After 5 more mins, switch off the flame.
    Garnish with chopped coriander leaves. Done!

AIR FRYER METHOD BHARWA BHINDI DRY CURRY:

  • Spray / brush the air fryer mesh with cooking oil.
    Gently place the stuffed okra / bhindi onto the mesh.
  • Again spray/brush each one with cooking oil.
    Close the air fryer, set the time to 10 mins, temperature to 200C / 390F.

HOW TO MAKE 'STUFFED OKRA / BHARWA BHINDI GRAVY CURRY ':

  • Put a frying pan on stove top under medium flame, add oil.
    Add the mustard seeds and whole cumin/ jeera. Let them splutter.
    Now, add the curry leaves, sliced onion pieces. Saute until they turn transparent.
  • Add the remaining masala stuffing, water, salt, red chilli powder. Mix well.
    Immediately add all the COOKED Stuffed Okra / Bharwa Bhindi, to the pan.
  • Close with lid, let it cook for 3-4 mins under low flame. Open the lid, let it come together. 
    Switch the flame OFF. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves. Done!

Notes

Please see the MAIN POST for step wise PICS & recipe TIPS!
Keyword air fryer recipe for stuffed ora, bharwa bhindi gravy curry, bharwa bhindi recipe with very little oil, gutti bendakaya koora recipe