Bhindi Kurkuri (Crispy Indian-Style Fried Okra)

Ingredients

• Hide ingredients for 1 teaspoon curry powder or Garam Masala 1 1 teaspoon curry powder or Garam Masala (opens in new tab) 1 teaspoon curry powder or Garam Masala
  • ¼ cup green or black cardamom pods
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cardamom seeds
  • 2 tablespoons cumin or black cumin seeds
  • 2 tablespoons black peppercorns
  • Two 2 ½- to 3-inch cinnamon sticks, broken into shards
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • (2 mace blades)
  • 1 teaspoon grated or ground nutmeg
  • Two 2 ½- to 3-inch cinnamon sticks
  • ½ whole nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons coriander seeds
  • 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
  • 8 green cardamom pods
  • 1 teaspoon whole cloves
  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 2 bay leaves, crumbled

  Sub-recipe steps

  1. Place inside a thin, folded kitchen towel and smash with a rolling pin or a heavy skillet until lightly crushed: ¼ cup green or black cardamom pods
  2. Collect the cardamom seeds and discard the pods. Alternatively, use: 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cardamom seeds
  3. Combine the seeds in a spice grinder with: 2 tablespoons cumin or black cumin seeds; 2 tablespoons black peppercorns; Two 2 ½- to 3-inch cinnamon sticks, broken into shards; 1 tablespoon whole cloves; (2 mace blades); 1 teaspoon grated or ground nutmeg
  4. Grind the mixture to a powder. Store in an airtight container.
  5. About ⅓ cup
  6. This blend is heavier on warm spices: cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. Add ½ teaspoon or so to dishes like Chana Masala, Palak Paneer, or Spinach Pakoras.
  7. Place inside a thin, folded kitchen towel and crack into pieces with a rolling pin or a heavy skillet: Two 2 ½- to 3-inch cinnamon sticks; ½ whole nutmeg
  8. Place a large skillet over medium heat and add the cinnamon and nutmeg pieces along with: 2 tablespoons coriander seeds; 1 tablespoon cumin seeds; 8 green cardamom pods; 1 teaspoon whole cloves; 1 teaspoon black peppercorns; 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
  9. Toast, stirring frequently, until the spices are fragrant and browned. Transfer to a plate to cool completely. Fish out the cardamom pods, crack them open by pounding them under the side of a knife. Collect the seeds within, and discard the pods. Place the seeds in a spice grinder along with all the other toasted spices. Add: 2 teaspoons ground ginger; 2 bay leaves, crumbled
  10. Grind into a powder.
• ¼ teaspoon Indian red chile powder or cayenne pepper
• (½ teaspoon amchur powder)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 pound okra
• ½ inch vegetable oil
• ¼ cup chickpea flour
• Lime juice to taste
• Hide ingredients for (Chaat Masala) 1 (Chaat Masala) (opens in new tab) (Chaat Masala)
  • 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
  • (1 ½ teaspoons fennel seeds)
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon dried mango powder (amchur)
  • 1 tablespoon black salt
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • (¼ teaspoon asafoetida)

  Sub-recipe steps

  1. Place a small skillet over medium heat and add: 1 tablespoon cumin seeds; (1 ½ teaspoons fennel seeds)
  2. Toast, stirring frequently, until the seeds are fragrant and toasted. Transfer to a spice grinder and let cool completely. Add to the spice grinder: 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon dried mango powder (amchur); 1 tablespoon black salt; ½ teaspoon salt; (¼ teaspoon asafoetida)
  3. Grind into a fine powder.
• Hide ingredients for (Raita, Cilantro-Mint Chutney, or Tamarind Chutney) 1 (Raita, Cilantro-Mint Chutney, or Tamarind Chutney) (opens in new tab) (Raita, Cilantro-Mint Chutney, or Tamarind Chutney)
  • 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and finely chopped
  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped mint
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • (1 jalapeño or serrano pepper, seeded and diced)

  Sub-recipe steps

  1. Stir together in a small bowl: 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and finely chopped; 1 cup plain yogurt; 1 tablespoon finely chopped mint; ¼ teaspoon ground cumin; ¼ teaspoon salt; (1 jalapeño or serrano pepper, seeded and diced)
  2. Raita is best served fresh, but it can be prepared ahead and refrigerated, covered, for up to 1 day.