Crispy Okra or KurKuri Bhendi

Kurkuri bhendi or Crispy Okra (Ladies finger) is a spicy fried snack made with okra(ladiesfinger),chickpea flour(besan) and Indian spices. It is very delicious and can be prepared in very less time.

If you’re really bored of the regular preparation of okra, this dish can really pep u by falling in love with okra again. The Chaat masala plays a vital role in this dish as it adds tangy flavor to the dish.  For more tanginess you can squeeze a lemon juice and give it a toss just before serving.  This recipe should be served immediately as it becomes soggy and does not tastes good if kept for longer time. It can be served as snack or as a side dish with your regular meals.

INGREDIENTS

• Okra (Ladies finger or bhendi) -250 gm
• Redchilly powder – 1 tsp
• Turmeric powder – ¼ tsp
• Coriander powder – ½ tsp
• Cumin powder – ½ tsp
• Garam  masala powder – ½ tsp
• Chat Masala powder – 1tsp
• Chickpea flour or Besan – 4 tbsp
• Rice flour – 1&1/2 tbsp
• Salt to taste
• Oil for frying (I used mustard seed oil)
• Lemon -optional

METHOD

• Wash and pat dry okra completely using kitchen towel. Once it dries off completely, then slice the okra thinly. This step will give you non sticky okra or bhendis.
• Cut okra horizontally into 4 pieces and discard the seeds as much as possible.
• Into a bowl add in all the cut okra, red chilly powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, garam masala powder, chaat masala powder and salt.
• Toss all the ingredients well and let it rest for at least 5 to 10 minutes.
• Then add in chickpea flour and rice flour. Mix everything lightly such that flour coats all the okra pieces.
  
• Do not add any water, the moisture left in the okra will be enough to mix the flour into it. If required, thenathen only 2 tbsp of water not more than this.
  
• Heat oil into a frying pan.
• Fry the flour coated okra into hot oil in 3 to 4 batches.
• If you crowd okra while frying, they might not become crispy and sometimes remain uncooked.
• Remove the fried okra on a plate lined with tissue paper to drain the excess oil.
• Crispy Okra or Kurkuri Bhendi is ready to serve.
• Sprinkle lemon juice on crispy okra just before serving.
• Kurkuri Bhendi or Crispy Okra are ready to serve.