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Home » Mains » Bhindi Kadhi (Okra in yogurt sauce)

Bhindi Kadhi (Okra in yogurt sauce)

by Shilpa · 2 Comments

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
Bhindi kadhi is a healthy, easy, and delicious dish made with okra cooked in a yogurt sauce. Make this authentic dish in Instant Pot without any monitoring. It can be paired with steamed rice or khichdi.
bhindi kadhi.

Bhindi kadhi step-by-step recipe with video and photos.

Jump to:
  • About this recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Step-by-step instructions
  • Stovetop Instructions
  • Useful tips for bhindi kadhi
  • Tips on selecting bhindi
  • How to avoid okra from getting slimy
  • FAQs
  • Bonus
  • Recipe card
  • Comments

About this recipe

Kadhi or karhi is a yogurt-based dish originating from the Western region of India. It is popular in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Punjab with each state having its own version. The basic sauce is made with yogurt and besan (gram flour/chickpea flour) with variations like adding vegetables and fritters.

Gujarati bhindi kadhi is one such variation where okra is simmered in a yogurt sauce and a tempering/seasoning made with whole spices. This simple dish is ready in less than 20 minutes and pairs very well with Basmati rice and also with khichdi. Kadhi is very cooling and is excellent during the summer. For cooler nights, serve this as a gently spiced warm soup.

Traditionally, this okra curry is made on a stovetop but making it in the Instant Pot saves so much time and is way easier. It needs no monitoring or babysitting. Okra combined with yogurt and besan is a delicious gluten-free dish that is suitable for the keto diet.

Read on for ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and tips on how to avoid slimy bhindi.

okra in yogurt sauce.

Ingredients

bhindi kadhi ingredients with labels.

Bhindi/okra: Use fresh and tender bhindi.

Yogurt: Use plain yogurt to make kadhi.

Besan: Also known as gram flour or chickpea flour, this adds thickness to the dish.

Sugar: A small amount of sugar is added which balances the tangy yogurt very well. Do not skip it.

Spices: Whole spices used in tempering are mustard seeds, cumin seeds, cloves, cinnamon, dried red chili, and hing.

Other ingredients: Curry leaves, cilantro, ginger, and green chili.

Step-by-step instructions

Blend together yogurt, besan, turmeric powder, sugar, and salt. Set it aside (steps 1,2).

Heat oil and add mustard seeds. Once it splutters, add cumin seeds, dry red chili, cinnamon, cloves, hing, and curry leaves.

make yogurt mixture, and tadka.

Add the bhindi and fry for 1-2 minutes, until the okra begins to brown (steps 5,6).

Add ginger and green chili. Mix well and saute for one more minute. Deglaze the pot (steps 7,8).

fry okra until it chars slightly.

Cancel saute mode. Add the yogurt mixture and water. Mix well (step 9).

Set the Instant Pot to pressure cook mode on LOW pressure for 2 minutes. Do a natural release of pressure for 5 minutes, then do a quick release (steps 10,11).

Top with cilantro and serve warm (step 12).

pressure cook with yogurt mixture.

Stovetop Instructions

To make kadhi on a stovetop:
- Blend together yogurt, besan, turmeric powder, sugar, and salt. Set it aside.
- Heat oil in a frying pan or kadhai and add mustard seeds. Once it splutters, add cumin seeds, dry red chili, cinnamon, cloves, hing, and curry leaves.
- Add the bhindi and fry for 1-2 minutes, until the okra begins to brown.
- Add ginger and green chili. Mix well and saute for one more minute.
- Add the blended yogurt and mix well.
- Bring it to a boil. Cover and simmer until the okra is fully cooked - about 15-20 minutes.
- Top with cilantro and serve warm.

bhindi kadhi.

Useful tips for bhindi kadhi

Make sure the Instant Pot is set to low pressure. Also, wait for 5 minutes before releasing the pressure.

Initially when sauteing the okra, set the Instant Pot to saute on 'More'. This way, the okra will char quickly, without burning the spices.

Make sure you deglaze the pot well before adding the yogurt mixture.

More Indian okra recipes:
1. Bhindi pakora.
2. Bhrawa bhindi.

okra in yogurt sauce.

Tips on selecting bhindi

Select bright green pods without any spots or blemishes. If the okra is old or ripe, it will be too slimy when cut. Also, older bhindi would turn chewy and fibrous when cooked. Young and tender okra has very less or no slime when cut and tastes best.

It is best to pick the bhindi individually. Make sure they are not soft and have a slight firmness but at the same time, are not hard.

How to avoid okra from getting slimy

Dry the okra well after washing. Also, make sure the knife and cutting board you are using to cut them are dry. Keep wiping the knife after cutting a few pods to remove any slim on the knife.

Use fresh and tender okra. Also, cut into slightly big pieces. If you cut them into small chunks, they tend to get very slimy.

A souring agent is important to remove the sliminess from bhindi. Yogurt or dahi used in this dish will help in this recipe.

bhindi kadhi.

Click here for more one-pot meal recipes.

FAQs

Is okra healthy?

Bhindi or ladies finger or okra is a nutritious vegetable rich in magnesium, folates, and vitamin C. It is known to help with blood sugar control and improves immunity. In India, it is one of the common vegetables given to pregnant women. This gooey vegetable is also known to help with skin and hair health.

How to make this bhindi karhi on a stovetop?

You can follow this recipe and simmer the kadhi for 15-20 minutes until the bhindi is fully cooked. Keep stirring frequently to avoid it from sticking to the pan.

Can I use frozen okra for this dish?

Yes, although frozen okra may tend to get very slimy. Increase the sauteing time until the sliminess goes and the okra chars well.

orka curry.

Bonus

This dish:
- is very easy to make,
- can be served as a warm soup,
- is healthy, hearty, and delicious.

top view of kadhi and rice.

Recipe card

bhindi kadhi.

Bhindi Kadhi (Okra in Yogurt Sauce)

Bhindi kadhi is a healthy, easy, and delicious dish made with okra cooked in a yogurt sauce. Make this authentic dish in Instant Pot without any monitoring. It can be paired with steamed rice or khichdi.
5 from 36 votes
Print Pin Rate
Author: Shilpa
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 lb okra
  • 1½ cups yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon besan gram flour/chickpea flour
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • ½ inch ginger finely chopped
  • 2-3 green chili finely chopped (or as per taste)
  • Salt to taste
  • 1½ cup water
  • 2 tablespoon cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon oil

Spices

  • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1-2 dry red chili
  • 1 inch cinnamon
  • 4-5 cloves
  • ½ teaspoon asafetida (hing)
  • 1 sprig curry leaves

Instructions

Prep

  • Wash and pat dry the okra, making sure there is no trace of water.
  • Cut them into 1-inch pieces using a dry knife and cutting board (see tips section).
  • Blend together yogurt, besan, turmeric powder, sugar, and salt. Set it aside.

Making the Kadhi

  • Set the Instant Pot on saute mode and add oil.
  • Once it heats, add mustard seeds.
  • Once it splutters, add cumin seeds, dry red chili, cinnamon, cloves, curry leaves, and hing.
  • Add the bhindi and fry for 1-2 minutes, until the okra begins to brown (set the IP to saute - More).
  • Add ginger and green chili. Mix well and saute for one more minute.
  • Cancel saute mode. Add the yogurt mixture and water. Mix well and secure the IP lid.
  • Set the Instant Pot to pressure cook mode on low pressure for 2 minutes.
  • Do a natural release of pressure for 5 minutes, then do a quick release.
  • Top with cilantro and serve warm.

Video

Notes

See the tips section for useful tips to make this dish and tips to make sure the okra does not turn slimy.
Nutrition Facts
Bhindi Kadhi (Okra in Yogurt Sauce)
Amount per Serving
Calories
130
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
6
g
9
%
Saturated Fat
 
2
g
13
%
Trans Fat
 
1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
3
g
Cholesterol
 
8
mg
3
%
Sodium
 
117
mg
5
%
Potassium
 
475
mg
14
%
Carbohydrates
 
16
g
5
%
Fiber
 
5
g
21
%
Sugar
 
7
g
8
%
Protein
 
5
g
10
%
Vitamin A
 
944
IU
19
%
Vitamin C
 
39
mg
47
%
Calcium
 
181
mg
18
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Jacqui says

    May 22, 2022 at 6:20 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious and easy to make! 11/10 recommend!

  2. Cindy says

    May 22, 2022 at 9:21 pm

    5 stars
    So tasty!

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