Paneer Bharvan Bhindi (Paneer stuffed Okra)

Humble okra gets a  glamorous makeover with this recipe and gets a "WOW" from whomever you are serving it to. A very innovative and always popular recipe from my mom's cook book (the best there is). This recipe came to existence one day when some special guests arrived and mom had only bhindi in the fridge... which is not always considered the best vegetable to offer to special guests at our home. So she made some paneer added some masala in it and stuffed the okras and boom... okra got a makeover. Guests loved it. My papa became its biggest fan and now he always asks mom to make these whenever we have guests over. In fact if we were out of bhindi, he would go and get some from the market. He just loves it :). Mom used to fry the bhindis first then stuff them then saute again with the masala in a makhani kind gravy (which I will be posting soon). I use my microwave for this and it becomes so quick and easy. It is great for lunch and dinner when paired with either rice or roti..have served as an appetizer too.

Here goes the recipe (see notes for the 'microwave-only' version) -




Ingredients: serves 2


Okra  ...................................... 12-15 washed and dried properly (choose medium tender same size okras)
Coriander powder  ...................... 1 tsp
Red chilli powder  ....................... 1/2 tsp or to taste
Amchur   .................................. 1 1/2tsp
Garam masala  ........................... 1 tsp
Paneer  .................................... 1/2 cup grated
Cilantro  ................................... 2 tsp chopped
Salt ......................................... to taste
Oil ......................................... 1 1/2 tsp + few drops

For the masala /tadka:

Oil ........................................... 1 tbsp
Nigella and Cumin seeds .................. 1/2 tsp each
Tomato  .................................... 1/2 small  chopped
Onion ....................................... 1 small chopped
Cilantro ..................................... for garnishing
Hing  ........................................ a pinch
Turmeric ................................... 1/4 tsp
Salt .......................................... to taste

Method:

1. Cut off the tops of the okra and slit one side to split open. Be gentle not to break the okra. In a medium bowl, add the panner and all the masalas. Add few drops of oil and salt and mix with hands or a spoon to combine everything. Add in the cilantro.


2. Stuff the paneer masala in the okras. Arrange them on a microwave safe plate. Drizzle 1 1/2 tsp oil evenly on all the okras and cover and microwave on high or 5 - 6 minutes. Keep an eye as every oven is different. Take out and set aside.


3. In a non stick pan heat 1 tbsp of oil. Add in the hing, cumin and nigella seeds and let them splutter on medium high. Add in the onion, turmeric and salt (be careful with the salt as the okra stuffing already contains salt).

4. Fry the onion while stirring for 3-4 minutes. Add in the cooked okra and allow them to brown a little. Be gentle while stirring and try not to break them.

5. Mix in tomatoes and allow them to soften a little. Take off the heat. Garnish with cilantro.

6. Serve hot with roti or parathas.


Notes:

1. For the 'Microwave-only' version, after cooking the okra in the microwave, set it aside. In a microwave safe bowl, take the oil, cumin, hing and nigella and microwave on high for about a minute. Take out. Add onions, turmeric and salt. Mix and microwave on high for 2 - 3 minutes stirring every minute till the onions soften. Add in the okra, mix gently and microwave for another minute. Add tomatoes, microwave for another 30 seconds and serve.

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