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Dahi Bhendi/Okra Raita was one of the first dishes that I had learnt from my MIL after our marriage. Okras are crisped and then added to seasoned yogurt; the crisped okra then absorbs the yogurt and plumps up giving it a unique flavorful taste. I loved the taste and have been making it ever since.

 

This Raita makes a very good side dish Rotis/Chapathis and also with Rice. This is very easy to prepare and is also a good way to finish of those few remaining Okras/lady’s finger sitting in the fridge. My MIL makes this the traditional way by roasting the okra in a wok/kadhai.  But I have learnt to roast the okra similar way in the microwave and this process does not require any handling at all.

 

Please Note: about crisping the okra/lady’s finger in the microwave: Please use only glass plates for crisping the okra in the microwave. The lady’s finger gets crisped very fast in the microwave and the stickiness is gone too. The okra in the picture above was crisped in the microwave, mine takes only about 3 minutes. Depending on the power of the microwave the time might vary, do keep a close eye on it though. The crisp okra with salt is very tasty and kids love to snack on it as is!

 

If you have never tried this dish before, I strongly recommend that you try it one and you will be surprised!

 

 

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Ingredients:

  • 10-12 big lady’s finger/okra/bhendi
  • 1 cup yogurt
  • Milk/water to thin out the yogurt
  • Mustard seeds
  • Curry leaves
  • Green chillies slit (depending on taste)
  • Chopped coriander leaves
  • Oil
  • salt 

Serves:

3-4 people

Method:

  • Wash and wipe the okras clean. Cut then into small discs about an inch long.
  • Next we need to crisp the lady’s finger. This can be done in a traditional way in a wok/Kadhai or using the microwave.
  • Microwave: Take a microwave safe plate (I recommend a glass plate) and place the cut okras, pour in about 1-2 tsp of oil and some salt and mix well. Microwave for about 2-3 minutes (depending on the power) until it becomes crisp and crunchy.
  • Kadhai/wok: Take a heavy bottom pan, add some oil and put in the cut okras. Continue stir in intervals until it becomes crisp and crunchy. Resist the urge to snack on the okras at this time J
  • Meanwhile in a big bowl add the yogurt and if thick then thin it out with milk (if yogurt is sour) or water. Please make sure that the yogurt is not thick else this will not taste good.
  • Add salt, green chillies, coriander leaves and mix well.
  • Add the crisp okra to this yogurt and mix well.
  • Prepare a tadka/seasoning of oil mustard seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves, red chillies (optional) and add it to the yogurt mixture.

 

Serve with warm Rotis/Chapathis or Rice. 

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32 Replies to “Dahi Bhendi/ Okra Raita”

  1. Looks delicious and I loved the idea of crisping the okra in a microwave, I am definitely going to try that !

  2. How much I love this one .. I learnt it from my hubby. goes so good with anna saaru .. Never tried microwaving it though

  3. Another new recipe:-) I have done it once with eggplants, but never with okra. great idea for summer & I would not mind having a bowl just by itself.

  4. Amma made them often, simple and a tasty raitha. My daughter will not have them in yogurt, she loves the crispy fried okra with salt and chilli powder.

  5. Looks awesome supriya..This is my favourite raita too as i don’t like any other form other than the fried ones as only frying removes the stickiness of the ladies finger thoroughly..We make this usually during festival days as part of an elaborate feast..Microwave method sounds good. Did this method remove the “sticky substance” from the ladies finger completely???

    Priya: Yes indeed! The stickiness of the okra is completely gone when done from the microwave and it does not take time either. You will be surprised.

  6. Love the idea of crisping them first and then adding to the curd. But am looking at those methi/palak rotis/parathas too … please pardon me this gross line … but my tummy growled when I saw that snap … it is lunchtime here .. but did not realise that till I came across this snap. 🙂

  7. I cook this the very same way, in the microwave.sprinkling a bit of yoghurt halfway will remove the glue from bendis. it is a delicious side dish. I too am looking at the parathas….they look very inviting too.

  8. My uncle had made this for us, when we visited him:) The only difference is, he used a pan for frying and added ginger, green chillies, onion too while frying.

    I liked the idea of crisping it in microwave. Saves a lot of time and effort! am definitely gonna try this one:)

  9. Thank you all very much for the warm comments. Crisping the okra in the microwave is easy and all the stikiness is gone too! Great time saver.

  10. Another of our staples and a favourite with us. Only we add a bit of coconut ground with green chillies (not into a paste) to the yogurt.
    I’ve never crisped the okra in the MW before. Thanks for that tip. Do you add a bit of salt to the okra before MWing it?

  11. Thanks Aparna. Yes I first add some salt and oil to the okra,mix it well on the glass plate and after that microwave it. Hope this helps.

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