Bhindi Aloo Masala

Today dish is a typical Bengali dish "Bhindi Aloo Masala" made with vindi (Ladies finger) and Aloo (Potato). It is very tasty, quick and easy to make and requires a few ingredients. Aloo bhindi recipe - there are many ways of making but I got this recipe from my mom. Vindi, aloo masala is very regular in our meal. Aloo and bhindi are two basic vegetables in Indian cooking. I usually make this two or three times in a week as Vindi is my husband’s favorite vegetable and this is suitable for lunch or dinner.

The scientific name for Lady's Fingers is "Abelmoschus Esculentus" commonly known as "Okra" too. Okra, also known as "lady finger", is one of the popular nutritious vegetables of North-Eastern Africa origin. They usually gathered while the pods are green, tender, and at immature stage. The plant is cultivated throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions around the world for their fibrous fruits or "pods." It grows best in well-drained and manure rich soil. The pods are among the very low calorie vegetables. They provide just 30 calories per 100 g, besides containing no saturated fats or cholesterol. Nonetheless, they are rich sources of dietary fiber, minerals, and vitamins. The pods contain healthy amounts of vitamin A, and flavonoid anti-oxidants such as beta-carotene, xanthin and lutein. It is one of the vegetables with highest levels of these anti-oxidants. Fresh pods are the good source of folates. The pods are an also good source of many important minerals such as iron, calcium, manganese and magnesium.

Okra also helps red blood cells production and prevent anemia. The high antioxidants in okra helps protect the immune system against harmful free radicals and prevent mutation of cells. The high antioxidants and vitamin C content make okra useful for reducing asthmatic attacks. It has insulin-like properties that help to reduce blood sugar level. The rich folate content in okra can help decrease the incidence of neural tube defects in babies. Okra contains beta-carotenes (precursor of vitamin A), xanthin and lutein, all antioxidant properties that are helpful for vision health, preventing eye problems like cataract and glaucoma. With good bowel movements, skin health will improve. Helps reduce acne, psoriasis and other skin conditions.

Time required: Less than 15 minutes.

Ingredients:
● 200-250 gms bhindi/okra (cut into ½ inch pieces) ● 1 medium potato ( cut into 1 inch thick pieces) ● 5 to 6 green chilies sliced ● 2 tsp mustard paste ● 2 tsp poppy seeds paste  ½ tsp black cumin seeds ● ½ tsp turmeric pd ● 1 tsp red chili pd ● Salt ● Sugar ● Mustard oil

Procedure:

Step 1: Heat some oil in a pan and add black cumin seed.

Step 2:  Slide the vindi into hot oil and dip fry until soft.

Step 3: Add aloo and some salt and fry until golden brown.

Step 4: Take a bowl and take the mustard seeds pest, poppy seeds pest, turmeric pd, red chilli pd and little bit of water mix very well.

Step 5: Add the mixture and mix very well then add little bit of water.

Step 6: At last add green chillies and some sugar.

Step 7: Cover the pan and take few min.

Step 8: After 3 to 4 min it was ready to serve.

Serve hot with steam rice.