AYURVEDIC NUTRITIONAL FACTS

Rasa
Sweet

Guna
Raw okra – Heavy

Cooked Okra – Not very heavy

Virya
Cold

Vipaka
Sweet

Okra is a good source of Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, antioxidants, calcium, and folic acid. It helps to control blood sugar levels, strengthen bones, improve digestion, and support heart health. Also, being a good source of folic acid, it is beneficial to consume during pregnancy. So, eating bhindi sabzi can help you maintain your health and prevent various ailments.

Full Recipe in Details

Bhindi sabzi is one of my favorite recipes. I love to enjoy it with whole wheat chapati with the combination of homemade curd. Adding some herbs and spices makes it perfect and delicious. You can also enjoy it with yellow moong dal on the side and chapati.

The recipe here is without onions, tomatoes, or garlic, making it simple and quick to cook. If you have a busy day and do not have enough time to cook, try this recipe. It will get ready within 15 minutes, and you will get free from the kitchen in less than half an hour.

STARTING GUIDE

Cuisine: Indian
Prep Time: 05 mins
Cooking Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 20 mins

Rasa (taste): Sweet
Guna (property): Moist
Virya (potency): Cold
Vipaka (post digestion effect): Sweet

INGREDIENTS

1 large cup okra, chopped
3 tablespoons mustard Oil
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder, organic
Saindhav namak (rock salt) as per taste
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1/2 teaspoon chat masala

GUIDE / INSTRUCTIONS

Firstly, select smooth, blemish-free, bright green pods of okra. Then wash and clean it thoroughly. Now chop them into pieces.
Take a wide iron wok to cook bhindi sabzi. Heat three tablespoons of mustard oil until it starts smoking. You can use ghee or any other oil of your choice for cooking. But, cooking in mustard oil gives it an amazing flavor.
Once the oil starts smoking and its pungent smell goes off, put cumin seeds and turmeric. Sautee it for few seconds in a low flame. Keep the fire low while sauteing to prevent the burning of spices.
Add chopped okra into the wok and mix them well. Keep mixing the vegetable until the sauteed spices blend well. Cook it over medium flame for 10-15 minutes. Stir well in between, making sure it gets cooked well from all the sides.
Add salt as per your taste and mix it well. Keep sauteeing and then add coriander powder and chat masala to it.
Once it starts getting light brown, switch off the flame and serve it hot with the chapati.

NOTES

Ayurvedic Wisdom

In Ayurveda, bhindi (okra) comes under the category of cooling and moistening food. Here cooling does not relate to the physical temperature of the food; instead, it is related to the inherent properties of okra. Due to this, it is beneficial to eat during summers, especially for people dealing with issues like burning sensation or hyperacidity, observed mainly by Pitta people. On the other hand, it is also helpful to balance dryness, often seen in Vata people. Thus it is more beneficial for a Vata & Pitta person.

Each food has its specific property depending upon which it acts on our bodies differently. So, be wise with your food and always choose to eat what suits you better.

Everything in moderation is healthy for everyone. It is all about maintaining balance.

To make each recipe more suitable, we can make few changes according to our body type. Here are the simple changes you can make as per your body type:

Vata person – Add more ghee to your meal.
Pitta person – No changes required.
Kapha person – Consume in moderation.