Let’s make Okra and Potato Fries Curry, Gujarati style. This is based on the Bhinda and Bateta nu Shaak my mum cooked growing up, with a little twist using air fried chips for speed and ease.
I love cooking okra like this!

This Okra and Potato Fries Curry is…
- Vegan
- Quick
- Easy
- Air fryer friendly
- Not slimy at all!
Don’t forward this in the family WhatsApp group.
How do I reduce the sliminess of bhindi or okra?

In the pursuit of non-slimy bhindi, wash and dry them properly. They should be really dry.
Dryness is key: As mentioned in the video, ensuring your okra is thoroughly dry before cooking is crucial. After washing, pat it vigorously with a kitchen towel or even let it air dry for a while. Excess moisture contributes to sliminess.
Do not add water when cooking the bhindi or okra. Stir fry them over high heat, quickly. Do not overcook them. They should only be cooked in their own liquid.
Cook okra over a high heat

A high heat helps to sear the outside quickly and reduce the release of mucilage. Don’t overcrowd the pan, as this will lower the temperature and steam the okra instead of frying it. Cook in batches if necessary.
Add an acidic ingredient to your okra
You can add a squeeze of lemon or lime juice once the okra is cooked.
Tomatoes and tamarind paste are also good for reducing sliminess but they must be cooked throughly before you add them as they also contain liquid. For this reason, I like to add tomato paste.
How long does ladyfinger last in the fridge?
If your okra or ladyfingers are fresh (green, firm, slim), try to use them within 3 days. The older they are, the more limp they will become and you may notice they turn black in spots.
Cooked okra curry like this is best eaten fresh.
What can I use instead of ladyfinger or okra in recipes?
French beans or runner beans are a good substitute for okra.
How to cut okra

Cut off the stems and the tips and then slice them on the bias, almost wafer thin.
The thinner they are, the quicker they’ll cook, which is perfect for stir-frying, which is what we’re doing here, even though this is a curry.
The spices
I’m adding cumin, asafoetida, onions, garlic, chilies and tomato paste. Cook these out a bit before adding the dry spices, like chili powder, turmeric, ground coriander and cumin. Before the spices burn, add the bhindi and stir it well to coat it in the masalas.
Cooking the okra curry

You are forbidden to add any water to this. Forbidden (it’ll turn slimy!). Keep it over a high heat, stirring all the time to make sure nothing burns. If you add water, you’ll have Shrek’s dinner.
Side note: Some dishes require the okra to be slimy for thickening
While many dishes aim to reduce okra’s sliminess, there are several dishes where its mucilaginous quality is prized, like in gumbo, okara, and bamieh. But we’re making bhindi and chips.
Cooking the French fries
I probably don’t need to add this, but speaking of chips, I’ve air-fried mine, and you can, too. Add them to the pan, stirring well to coat them in all the spices.
Easy okra recipe
And this reminds me so much of the bhindi and bateta shaak my mom used to make growing up. We’d eat it with rotlis, so let’s make some. And that’s it, a weeknight-friendly way to cook okra curry and satisfy your craving for french fries.
You might also like my recipe for Popcorn Bhindi or Aloo Bhindi Tawa Masala.
Okra and Potato Fries Curry recipe | How to cook okra curry with potatoes, Indian style
Okra and Potato Fries Curry
And this reminds me so much of the bhindi and bateta shaak my mom used to make growing up. We'd eat it with rotlis, so let's make some. And that's it, a weeknight-friendly way to cook okra curry and satisfy your craving for french fries.
Ingredients
- 300g okra, washed and dried thoroughly
- 200g frozen French fries, cooked according to packet directions (I air fried mine)
- 3 tbsp oil
- 3 large cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/8 tsp asafoetida
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 red chilli, cut into thin strips
- 1 tsp tomato purée
- 1 tsp chilli powder
- 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
- 2 tsp ground coriander seeds
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp chopped coriander
- 2 tsp lemon juice
Notes
- Heat the oil in a large non-stick wok or pan. Add the cumin and allow to sizzle for a few seconds before adding the asafoetida, garlic and onion. Sauté briefly before adding the red chilli and tomato purée.
- Add the chilli powder, turmeric, ground coriander, ground cumin and salt. Stir for a few seconds before adding the okra and mixing well.
- Stir fry the okra for 8-10 minutes over medium-high heat. Stir all the time to prevent burning.
- Add the cooked French fries and stir to coat. Remove from the heat.
- Finish with lemon juice and fresh coriander and serve with roti.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 356Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 977mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 5gSugar: 4gProtein: 13g
If you like this, you’ll love my recipe for Aloo Bhindi Tawa Masala
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