Masala Stuffed Okra - Air Fryer

Masala stuffed Okra or Crispy Masala Bhindi/ Okra is a very appetizing and alluring side-dish to eat that goes well with sambar rice or curd rice. Tender Okras are slit and stuffed with a amalgamation of amazing aromatic spicy and  tangy spices, air fried for just for 7 to 8 minutes until cooked and crisp.

This is a very easy to prepare dish, fat free and absolutely a finger-licking dish. Right mix of spices like chilli pd, coriander pd, cumin pd, chaat masala, salt to taste, very little oil, haldi pd and drizzle of lemon juice can just make wonders infused into the Okra making it a very delectable dish to taste.

Traditionally this type of dish which is popularly known as Bharwan Bhindi is prepared in the northern states of India especially Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra etc where the masala stuffed okras are deep fried and served. Nowadays, the craze of eating fat-free foods is catching up mainly for varied health reasons.

For those people who are conscious about their weight, health and overall nutrition, this is the best method of preparing the Masala stuffed okra and serving your family.  A slight change in the method of cooking can do wonders for maintaining a fit and healthy body. Okra is a very versatile vegetable that is added into making various types of dishes.

It is added to stews, stir-fries, raitas etc. It is one of the most popular vegetables among West Asians, North Indians and Pakistanis alike. In most of West Asia, okra is known as bamia or bamya. In India and Pakistan, chopped pieces of okra are stir fried with spices known as the okra fry, pickled, salted or added to gravy-based preparations.

In western parts of India (Gujarat, Maharashtra), okra is often stir-fried with some sugar. Okra is also used in Kadhi (mixed in yogurt). The ladies finger is used to make sambar in Udupi cuisine. In southern India, the okra is cooked in a spicy and tangy tamarind sauce commonly known as Bhendakaaya pulusu or Vendakai Kozhambu.

It’s very important to get several servings of vegetables in our diet each day. Okra offers amazing health benefits that include: ü Low in calories, ü Being a great vegetable for people trying to lose weight and being good for the digestive system, ü Contains no cholesterol or saturated fat, ü Has high fiber content, ü Along with containing high amounts of fiber, okra also contains high amounts of vitamins A, C, and B6. ü Large amounts of calcium, zinc, riboflavin, folic acid, and iron are also present in this vegetable.

Masala Stuffed Okra – Philips Airfryer Recipe:

Ingredients:

Bhendi                       -       250 gms

Turmeric pwd          -       pinch

chilli pwd                  -       2 tsp

Coriander                 -       2 tsp

Cumin pwd              -       2 tsp

Chaat masala           -       1 tsp

Salt                             -       to taste

Chickpea flour         -       ½ cup

Oil                              -       5 ml

Lime juice                 -       2 tsp

Method:

1. Preheat the air fryer at 180 degree C.


2. Slit the Bhendi (lady’s finger) and keep aside.


3. Take a bowl and add turmeric pd, chilli pd, coriander pd, cumin pd, chaat masala, salt, chickpea flour, few drops of oil and lime juice. Mix to make a paste.


4. Stuff this masala inside the okra.


5. Put the stuffed okra in the air fryer and cook at 180 degree C for 7 minutes.

Do try making this recipe. You could always reach me at my website for more amazing nutritious and enticing Okra recipes at: www.vahrehvah.com

Enjoy Cooking and always remember that: “VahrehVah is all about inspiring others to cook”!