A healthier version of the famous Punjabi kadhi which is typically made with fried pakoras. I love kadhi but the thought of fried pakoras keeps me from making it more often.

Summers are abundant with fresh okra and summers are also the time when we travel and invariably gain a few pounds trying out the new dishes and cuisine of the countries we visit. This summer was Amsterdam,Indonesia and India. Boy did we pack on the pounds! I wanted home cooked and healthy to lose the pounds. So I decided on the traditional kadhi, except I replaced the fried pakoras with healthy bhindi/okra.

I have earlier shared a recipe of traditional Punjabi Kadhi with pakoras made in a crockpot. I made it for a party and if you are looking to make it for a crowd, it gives measurements for 20-30 people.It’s my friend Madhus’ recipe whose kadhi is to die for. I kept the exact recipe, just replaced the calorie laden pakoras with fresh,healthy bhindi/okra. I usually like to make kadhi with greek yogurt to increase the amount of protein though this time I used regular yogurt as I was out of greek yogurt.

It tasted super and is teenager approved as well! When your teenager asks for the same dish the next day, you know you got a winner! Some of my other recipes that go really well with rice are Ma ki Dal/ Dal Makhni in Crock Pot-recipe for 20-30 people, Restaurant Style Dal Fry and Moong Ki Dal-A simple Ayurvedic Preparation. To learn how to use Frozen Bhindi/Okra without the slime, read Bhindi Do Pyaza using Frozen Bhindi/Okra, and Achari Bhindi made with Indian pickling spices.

Here is the written recipe followed by the pictorial one-

Bhindi Ki Kadhi Punjabi Style

Aanchal Gupta

Punjabi kadhi made healthier by replacing fried pakoras with healthy,fresh bhindi/okra.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 35

Total Time 45

Servings -7 cups of Kadhi

Ingredients

1 pound/450gms Okra/Bhindi/ladyfinger washed and dried
1/2 cup Besan/Gramflour/Chick Pea flour
1 1/2 cup yogurt whisked smooth
1 medium to large onion sliced thin(about 1 cup)
2 tsp ginger minced
1 tsp garlic minced
1/2 tsp green chilies minced
3-4 Whole Dry Red Chilies
8-10 Curry Leaves
1 Clove/Laung
1 Bay Leaf/Tej Patta
1/8 tsp Fenugreek seeds/Methi Dana
1 tsp Turmeric/Haldi
3/4 tsp Whole Coriander seeds/coarsely pounded
1/2 tsp Red Chili Powder/lal Mirch
1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds/Jeera
1/2 tsp Mustard Seeds/Rai
Pinch of Asafoetida/Heeng
3 tsp Dried Fenugreek leaves/Kasoori Methi
1/4 tsp Garam Masala
4 tbsp oil divided
2 tbsp ghee
Salt as per taste
4-5 cups water

for tempering

1 tsp ghee/oil
1/4 tsp Red Chili powder

Instructions

Wash and dry Okra completely and cut into 1 to 1 1/2 inch pieces.
In pan heat 2 tbsp oil and stir fry okra on medium low heat for 7-8 minutes till color turns dark green and okra is semi cooked.
Mix Gramflour/Besan with yogurt,turmeric and 1/2 cup water and whisk well.
In a pan heat 2 tbsp ghee with 2 tbsp oil
Add fenugreek seeds/methi dana and once they turn golden add cumin/jeera and mustard/rai seeds.
Add pinch of Asafoetida/Hing,Whole Red chilies,Clove/Laung,Bayleaf/Tejpatta and curry leaves.
Add coarsely pounded coriander seeds
Add sliced onions and cook till they brown
Add ginger,garlic and green chilies and cook till the raw smell of garlic and ginger goes away
Add whisked yogurt/gramflour/besan mixture and cook
Add Kasoori methi/Dry fenugreek leaves and continue to cook the thickened gramflour mix.
Add water and bring to a boil, turn down temperature and let it boil on low for 25-30 minutes till oil separates.
Add salt and Garam masala and do a taste test.
Add Okra and cook uncovered till okra is done.

for tempering(optional)

Heat ghee in a pan and add Red chili powder, pour over kadhi and serve immediately with rice.

Notes

Its very important to have completely dry bhindi/okra. After washing place on paper towel for some time or wipe down with a towel. No salt should be added to the Bhindi/okra as it will get slimy. After adding okra/bhindi, cook kadhi UNCOVERED till okra is done.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Here is the step by step pictorial recipe-

In pan stir fry bhindi/okra till dark green and semi cooked,set aside