BHARVAN BHINDI

Bharvan or bharwan means stuffed veggie that makes a delightful appetizer or a side dish. The spicy filling adds to flavor in a crisp vegetable. Bharwan bhindi is lady’s finger or okra stuffed with an exotic spicy masala. Some of the popular favorite stuffed veggies are okra, karela (bitter gourd), and tomato.

This dish is a simple way of relishing the okra with stuffed spices full of aroma and simple but amazing flavor. Stuffed vegetables always create a kind of apprehension that it will be tough to cook but it’s not the case usually - and this is a perfect example of it. This way of cooking bhindi gives a new twist to it.

Simply irresistible bhindi or okra recipe, Bharwan bhindi is every Indian's delight and especially a delicacy from Rajasthani cuisine. A spicy delicious filling which is filled in the slit bhindis makes for a lovely side dish with roti or Paratha of choice. This recipe belongs to Rajasthan where besan and curd are used extensively in cooking.

It's an all season vegetable and it’s easy to even grow in your kitchen garden.  Okra/ Bhindi are made several different ways. This is one of the simplest ways and tastes delicious. Okra has been in cultivated for centuries, thought to originally come from northern Africa around the region of the upper Nile and Ethiopia, from where it spread towards Saudi Arabia and India.

Its earliest record of cultivation is in Egypt. The fiber content of okra helps to stabilize blood sugar levels as it curbs the rate at which sugar is absorbed from the intestinal tract. Okra is available all over the world. Sautéing okra with little oil on a low flame or making a stew is some ways of preparing this vegetable.

Fried okra contains more cholesterol and saturated fats, hence once should avoid eating it. However, you can always sauté it on low flame and add your favorite seasonings. Though, this vegetable is sticky but when it is accompanied with something that is sour, it can become separated nicely and lose its sticky texture.

However, the stick texture of okra is great for making gumbo, which can be made with your favorite vegetables, seasoned with spices and added legumes and grains.

To prepare the Bharwan bhindi, wash & dry tender okra thorughly. Cut the head & slit open halfway through okra.  For the stuffing, in a bowl mix sambhar powder, amchoor powder, gram flour, salt , lime juice & few drops of water to make a thick paste.

(Note:-Ratio of sambhar pwdr & amchoor pwdr is 4:1 & add less amount of salt in the filling mixture). Stuff mixture in the bhindi & set the nonstick pan on medium heat. Arrange stuffed bhindis on the pan keeping the stuffed part upwards. Add one tbspn of oil on all the bhindis & sprinkle little water.Cover it & let it cook.

(Note:- Oil is added to fry slightly the bhindis & water is added to steam them until cooked). At small intervals of 3-4 mins continue sprinkling water & flip bhindi so it is cooked from other sides as well .Repeat the process three four times. (Note:- Make sure water is not added in excess to avoid running out of mixture).

When you notice bhindi is evenly cooked add sliced add onions, coriander leaves, little salt & chilli powder (optional) to it. Allow it to cook without the lid for 5 mins & saute well. It’s ready to be served with rotis or rice. This is one of the best methods of cooking to keep the cholesterol low and make it a healthy and nutritious dish.

For preparing this exotic dish do view the making at:

There are many ways to cook okra, and it should be consumed regularly as it is high in nutrients in it, provides good percentage of daily value required of essential nutrients like folate, vitamin C, A, calcium, etc. The okra have high nutritional values and many health benefits. The fiber content of okra has many high qualities; it helps in maintaining the health of the gastrointestinal tract.

Okra helps to reabsorb water and traps excess cholesterol, metabolic toxins and excess bile in its mucilage and slips it out through stool. Because of the greater percentage of water in the bulk, it prevents constipation, gas and bloating stomach problems.

This is a very good vegetable for weight loss, as it is a storehouse of health benefits, provided it is cooked on low flame, so that the okra health benefits are retained. This way the invaluable mucilage obtained from okra, is not lost due to high heat.

Bharvan bhindi okra Lady finger
	4.0 Stars based on 164 Reviews Author : tamrapa... Published On : Apr 13, 2008 Preparation Time: 7 min Recipe Type : Veg-Main Cooking Time : 25 min Standing Time : 25 Yield : 4 (4 servings) Ingredient : Okra Bhendi Ladiesfinger Description : Recip[e by Tamrapali --The famous bharvan bhindi..

Recipe of Bharvan bhindi okra Lady finger
Ingredient Name	Unit	Quantity
Amchoor powder	tbsp	1
coriander (chopped)	0	few
Gram Flour/Besan/Chickpea flour	tbsp	1 & 1/2
Lime	0	1/2
Okra /Bhindi	lbs	1
Salt	to taste
Sambhar powder	tbsp	4
Sliced onions	number	1/2
Directions | How to make Bharvan Bhindi Okra Lady Finger
1.Wash & dry tender okra.Cut the head & slit open halfway through okra. 2. For the filling :-In a bowl mix sambhar powder,amchoor pwdr,gram flour,salt , lime juice & few drops of water to make a thick paste. (Note:-Ratio of sambhar pwdr & amchoor pwdr is 4:1 & add less amount of salt in the filling mixture) 3.Stuff mixture in the bhindi & set the nonstick pan on medium heat. 4. Arrange stuffed bhindis on the pan keeping the stuffed part upwards.Add one tbspn of oil on all the bhindis & sprinkle little water.Cover it & let it cook. (Note:- Oil is added to fry slightly the bhindis & water is added to steam them until cooked) 5. At small intervals of 3-4mins continue sprinkling water & flip bhindi so it is cooked from other sides as well .Repeat the process three four times. (Note:- Make sure water is not added in excess to avoid running out of mixture) 6. When you notice bhindi is evenly cooked add sliced add onions,coriander leaves,little salt & chilli pwdr(optional) to it .Allow it to cook without the lid for 5 mins & saute well . 7.Its ready to be served with rotis or rice.
	Serving Ideas
	Served witth rotis/rice.