Bharelaa Bhindaa (Stuffed Okra)

½ cup chanaa no lot (chick─pea flour)

¼ teaspoon hardar (turmeric)

2 teaspoon dhaanaa-jiru (powdered coriander & cumin seeds)

1 teaspoon marchu (cayenne pepper)

1 ½ teaspoon mithu (salt)

1 teaspoon saaker (sugar)

4 tablespoon tel (oil)

1/8 teaspoon hing (asafetida)

½ teaspoon garam masalaa

40 whole bhindaa (okra), washed, pat-dried, stems cut off, slit length-wise on one side only for stuffing

8 tablespoon tel (oil)

1 Prepare the stuffing by mixing all the ingredients in the first part.

2 Stuff okras with the stuffing. Pack tight.

3 Put oil in a shallow pan and place okras on top of it in one layer only. Cook on low heat until the bottom side is lightly browned. Turn over all okras individually and continue cooking till both sides are done.

4 Alternately, instead of frying, brush okras with oil and bake them at 300° F till they are browned. Turn them over, brush with oil and finish baking.