Have you ever tried Bharwa Bhindi (Stuffed Okra)? A simple, flavourful and classic dish made with Bhindi (Okra), Besan (Gram Flour) and aromatic spices!
This is a vegan, beginner-friendly, no onion no garlic (satvik), side dish perfect for everyday meals.
About Bharwa Bhindi (Stuffed Okra)
Bharwa Bhindi also called as Bharli Bhendi in Marathi and Stuffed Okra / Ladysfinger in English is a delectable dish often served as side dish with meals.
Bharwa bhindi is a popular dish in many parts of India.
The star of this recipe is the spiced besan (gram flour) that is stuffed inside the slit bhindi.
This humble dish will make you realise how simple ingredients can come together to create something truly delicious.
You do not require fancy ingredients or elaborate techniques to make this delicious bhindi dish.
Growing up, I wasnโt a fan of bhindi (okra), it was always that slimy texture that used to creep me out for some reason and I always tried my best to avoid eating bhindi at all cost.
But one day, my Mom made this bharwa bhendi with besan and the whole house was filled with its irresistible aroma which was impossible to resist!
That day for the first time everything changed and I was eating this bhindi along with some hot phulkas and was totally blown away!
Dishes like these make you realise that with the right recipe, you can change someoneโs mind about the food they thought they didnโt like.
Now this bharwa bindi has just become my new favourite and I love to relish it as a side dish with dal rice or as a snack or as a whole meal along with soft phulkas and pickles.
Apart from being such a tasty dish, this recipe is healthy and wholesome.
Bhindi (okra) in itself is packed with vitamins, minerals and essential dietary fiber. Adding besan (gram flour) makes this dish protein-rich and filling.
Bhindi is available all throughout the year which makes it a budget-friendly recipe to try.
Once you master the skill of cutting and stuffing the rest of the recipe is quick is prepare.
This is such a lovely recipe that you can easily tweak it as you want.
To make this bharwa bhindi, we have used basic spices like red chilli powder, cumin powder, garam masala along with amchur powder (raw mango powder) which gives this bhindi a chatpata flavour.
This is a perfect recipe for weekday dinner when you want something simple yet delicious.
Itโs healthy, delicious, flavourful and does not require much of effort and time.
Whether itโs a simple family dinner or a quick lunch, this dish never fails to impress.
So, next time you are looking out for an easy and comforting Indian dish, try out this recipe.
Recipe Video
ingredients
Bhindi / Bhendi (Okra) โ To make these bharwa bhindi, we will need 250 grams of bhindi (okra) which we will need to wash and pat dry. Make sure that bhindi are completely dry before slitting them otherwise, they can become slimy.
Flours โ We will require besan (gram flour) as the main stuffing for making this bharwa bhindi. We need to dry roast the besan till it releases its aroma. Make sure not to brown the besan while roasting.
Peanut Powder โ To give that crunch and texture to bharwa bhindi we are going to add roasted peanut powder. Instead fo peanut powder, you may also add rice flour which will help the bhindi get crisp.
Sesame Seeds โ These seeds give a nice texture and flavour to this bharwa bhindi.
Spices โ Basic minimal spices like red chilli powder, cumin seeds powder, and garam masala powder is used to spice up the besan mixture.
We will also use Amchur powder (Raw Mango Powder) to give that tanginess to these bhindis. Instead of amchur powder, you can use chaat masala or lemon juice.
Seasoning โ We will season this bharwa bhindi with salt.
Oil โ We will require a tablespoon of oil to bind the besan mixture and rest for shallow frying the bhindis.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I store the leftover Bharwa Bhindi?
You can store the leftover bhindi in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. Reheat before serving.
Can I bake bharwa bhindi instead for frying?
Yes, arrange the stuffed bhindi (okra) on a baking tray, drizzle with oil and bake the bhindi (okra) at 180ยฐC (350ยฐF) for 15-20 minutes.
Can I make Bharwa Bhindi ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the stuffing and cut the bhindi ahead of time. Just stuff the bhindi and cook it fresh.
Variations
Coconut & Peanut Filling (Maharashtrian Style) โ Instead of adding besan, you can make the stuffing of fresh coconut and roasted peanut powder. This kind of stuffing is popular in Maharastra and is spiced up with authentic Maharashtrian Goda Masala instead of garam masala.
Coconut Filling โ You can add fresh scrapped coconut in the filling which helps to moisten the stuffing and gives a nice earthy flavour to the dish.
Serving Suggestions
Bharwa bhindi pairs delicious with warm phulkas, chapatis and parathas making it a comforting meal.
You can also serve them as a side dish with dal rice, pulao or simple khichdi.
These also make perfect starters for parties or family get-togethers.
Storage Options
Bharwa bhindi stays good for 2 days in the refrigerator. Store it in an airtight container. Reheat on low heat before serving.
Related Recipes
No Onion No Garlic (Satvik) Recipes
More Stuffed Vegetable Recipes
Bharwa Baingan Masala (Stuffed Eggplant Curry), Stuffed Capsicum With Besan (Stuffed Bell Peppers), Maharashtrian Style Bharli Vangi (Stuffed Brinjal Curry)
How to make Bharwa Bhindi Recipe
Note:
Avoid peanut powder if you are allergic to nuts.ย
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Recipe Card
Bharwa Bhindi Recipe | Bharli Bhendi | Stuffed Okra Recipe
Ingredientsย ย
- 250 grams Bhindi (Okra)
- 1/2 cup Roasted Besan (Gram Flour)
- 2 tablespoons Roasted Peanut Powder (Kut)
- 1 teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
- 1 teaspoon Cumin Powder
- 1 tablespoon Garam Masala Powder
- 2 tablespoons ย Amchur powder OR Lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Sesame seeds (Til)
- Salt to taste
- 4-5 tablespoons Oil, to shallow fry
Instructionsย
To Roast Besan ( Gram Flour)
- In a thick bottom pan or kadhai add gram flour (besan) and roast it on a low flame till it leaves its aroma. Once roasted, set aside to cool it down completely.
Making Bharwa Bhindi (Stuffed Okra)
- Wash and pat dry bhendi / okra.
- Cut the edges and make a slit in between.
- In a bowl add besan (gram flour), roasted peanut powder, red chilli powder, cumin powder, garam masala powder, raw mango powder (amchur powder), white sesame seeds and salt and mix well.
- Check for seasoning.
- Stuff this besan filling into the slit bhindi.
- In a pan add oil and place the stuffed bhindi /okra in a single layer. Make sure not to cover the pan.
- Drizzle oil over the bhendis. After every 3-4 minutes keep flipping the okra until done to make sure it is cooked evenly from all the sides.
- This takes approximately 15-20 minutes. Make sure to cook on low flame as possible as we do not want the bhindi or the masala to burn.
- Use the tip of knife to check if the okra is cooked or not.
- If the knife goes across the okra without resistance that means bhindi is cooked perfectly.
- Transfer the stuffed okra into a plate.
- Serve as it is as a snack or as a side dish with meals.
