No onion no garlic bhindi masala | Creamy bhindi masala without nuts and cream

This recipe is for those auspicious days where no onion and garlic are included in the diet, like during navratri, nonbu or simply that the dietary option that you choose. Switch ghee with coconut oil or any oil of your choice to make this vegan. This is still creamy and delicious without a lot of butter and cream.

Preparation time - 20 mins

Cooking time - 20 mins

Servers - 2 to 3

INGREDIENTS

To Saute and grind for gravy

• Ghee - 1 tbsp

• Cumin seeds / Jeera - 1 tsp

• Tomatoes - 4 or 5

• Salt - to taste

Masala

• Fennel seeds - 1/2 tsp

• Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp

• Coriander seeds - 1 tsp

• Black pepper - 1/2 tsp

• Anar powder (Dry pomegranate powder) - 1 tsp or dry mango powder

Other ingredients

• Bhindi (okra) - 3 cups chopped

• salt

• Besan - 1 tbsp

• Red chili powder - 1 tsp

• Fresh methi leaves and dried methi leaves

• Ginger - 2 tsp minced

Direction

• In a saute pan, add ghee and to that add cumin seeds. Once spluttered add in the tomatoes and salt. Let it cook for 5 mins in medium heat until tomatoes are tender and soft.

• Meanwhile cut bhindi/Okra into 1 inch pieces

• Cook in a separate pan until okra is tender, adding salt.

• Until the cooking is done. In a mortar and pestle grind together cumin seeds, fennel seeds, coriander seeds and black pepper into a coarse powder.

• To that add 1 tsp of Amar dhar powder ( dry pomegranate powder) or dry mango powder

• Mix besan and red chilli powder in a bowl.

• Cut fresh fenugreek leaves and crush dried fenugreek leaves.

• Once the tomatoes and okra is cooked. Blend tomatoes into a fine paste

• In the same pan, add a tbsp of ghee, to that first add in the ground masala, then besan chilli mix. Stir without lumps.

• Next add in ginger and methi leaves.

• To that add ground tomato puree and mix well.

When the gravy takes a boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer for few more minutes until the oil separates. Dilute the gravy as needed and top it with crushed and dried fenugreek leaves and pan fried bhindi.

Serve hot with roti or rice. Enjoy and happy cooking!!