Lehsuni Bhindi / Garlic Okra

Ingredients (measuring cup used, 1 cup = 250 ml)

200 gms bhindi/okra
1 large onion, thinly sliced
1 tbsp chopped or sliced garlic
1 green chili, chopped or slit
½ tsp cumin seeds/jeera
¼ or ½ tsp red chili powder/lal mirch powder
½ tsp turmeric powder/haldi
½ tsp coriander powder/dhania powder
½ tsp dry mango powder/amchur
¼ tsp garam masala powder
a pinch of asafoetida/hing
2 tbsp oil
salt as required
some chopped coriander or mint for garnishing

Instructions

1.rinse, wipe and dry the bhindi/okra.
2.slice each bhindi vertically, into two or four slices.
3.smaller okra can be sliced into two and larger ones can be sliced into four.
4.heat oil in a pan or kadai. crackle the cumin first.
5.add the garlic and asafoetida. fry for15-20 seconds.
6.then add the sliced onions and sautetill they become translucent
7.add turmeric powder, green chilies and stir.
8.add the bhindi. stir in salt
9.cover the pan and let the bhindi cook for 5 minutes.
10.remove the lid and add the red chili powder, garam masala, coriander powder, dry mango powder. stir well.
11.cook without any lid till the oil starts separating and the bhindi has cooked.
12.if the okra mixture starts to stick to the pan, then sprinkle some water and continue to cook.
13.stir for some times, when the bhindi is cooking.
14.garnish lahsuni bhindi with some coriander or mint leaves and serve lahsuni bhindi with roti or phulkas.

Notes

this recipe is a bit on the spicier side. you can adjust the quantity of spices as per your preference. just reduce the green chili and red chili powder.