Stir-fried Okra and onions (Bhindi do pyaza)

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Bhindi do pyaza or stir-fried okra with onions combines okra with twice the amount of onions and a few spices to create a delectable dish that is a hot favorite with Indian food lovers. This caramelized onion and okra recipe takes all of 20 minutes to cook and goes well with rotis, rice, and dal.

Bhindi do pyasa cooked in a wok and garnished with coriander leaves and served with a dash of lime.

Bhindi do pyaza is an okra lovers delight. While every Indian household will have their own way of making this dish, one thing is for sure – if you are making bhindi do pyaza, then your onion to okra ratio is 2:1. Hence the name “do pyaza” which means twice (do) the quantity of onions (pyaz).

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Are lady’s fingers and okra the same thing?

I still remember the first grocery trip that I took in the US – I walked into this huge grocery store on the lookout for vegetables that I could use to cook some Indian food. As I scanned through the produce section, I got overwhelmed by the huge variety they had on display – I didn’t know which one to pick until my eyes spotted a vegetable that I loved – bhindi. But it was called okra and not lady’s fingers (English word for bhindi in Asia). 

Nevertheless, I bought it and took it home wondering how this “okra do pyaza” is going to turn out. And thank god for google, I found out that okra and lady’s finger are just two names for the same plant.

Fun factDo you know why bhindi is called lady’s fingers in India? That’s because it supposedly resembles a lady’s finger – long, slim with a tapering end :-). Ha!

How do you cut okra?

There are two ways I usually cut them – lengthwise into long strips as shown in the picture below or into rounds. Irrespective of how you cut them, you always start with cutting the stem off.

Okras cut lengthwise for the bhindi do pyaza recipe
Okras cut lengthwise for the bhindi do pyaza recipe

How to keep okra from getting slimy?

Always pat dry the okra after rinsing them. Air dry overnight if possible. Also, do not add water while cooking.

Can I use frozen cut okra?

Certainly!

First step – Always pick okras that are bright green, crisp and do not have blemishes. Okras taste best when they are fresh, and if you don’t have plans to make okras within 2-3 days, I would advise you to freeze them.

Here’s how I do it – Rinse the okras and dry them with a clean towel. Chop them and freeze in a Ziploc.

Note – Do not thaw the okra before cooking, use it directly. 

How to make restaurant-style bhindi do pyaza?

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Okra dish served in a white bowl with a towel underneath
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Stir-fried Okra and onions (Bhindi do pyaza)

Bhindi-do-pyaza or stir-fried okra with onions combines okra with twice the amount of onions and a few spices to create a delectable dish that is a hot favorite with okra lovers. This caramelized onion and okra dish takes all of 20 minutes to cook and goes well with rotis and dal.
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  •  Add oil to a large wok kept over medium heat, and once it heats up, add cumin and carom seeds. When they start to sizzle, add turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder and chili powder. Stir them in the oil and let them cook for 5-10 seconds. Add onions along with salt and mix well. 
  •  Add okra and mix well.
  • Continue to cook without covering for about 15-20 minutes (see note). Stir occasionally to ensure consistent cooking. Once the okra has cooked to the desired level of doneness, add lime juice and sugar. Mix well and garnish with chopped cilantro leaves.
  • Serve it hot accompanied by rice/roti and dal.

Notes

  1. Always pat dry the okra after rinsing them. Air dry overnight if possible. This keeps the okra from getting slimy while cooking.
  2. You don't have to wait for the onions to soften before adding okra. They cook and soften together.
  3. Do not cover the wok while cooking okra - the water from the lid will drop on to the okra making it slimy.
  4. We like our okra or bhindi sabzi really soft, you could reduce the cooking time accordingly to get the desired level of crispiness in your final dish.
Read the post...For helpful information on ingredient swaps, storage tips, meal prep ideas, and variations!

Disclaimer: Approximate nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and can vary depending on the exact ingredients/brands used. If you have health issues, please work with a registered dietician or nutritionist.

Nutrition

Calories: 179kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 3gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 18mgPotassium: 448mgFiber: 5gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 640IUVitamin C: 28.8mgCalcium: 101mgIron: 1.5mg
Diet: Gluten-free, Vegan
Course: Side Dish
Method: Stovetop
Keywords: Bhindi do pyaaza, Okra with onions
Cuisine: Indian
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Bhindi do pyasa is served with a few lime slices in a red bowl.

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