Bhindi Zunka (Okra cooked with chickpea flour and spices). Delicious, crispy okra that makes a great snack or appetizer. Vegan and Gluten Free Recipe. Jump to Recipe
Okra is one of those gooey vegetables, that can easily put me off. Though hubbs is an avid fan, he does not like the gooeyness too. I try to make it as slime free as possible. There is always an option of deep frying it, but I dont really deep fry anything unless really needed.
My earlier post a simple Crisp Okra with indian pickle spices(Achcari Bhindi) was a big hit. The achari bhindi was a crisp okra pan fried with some sweet and sour spices.
This dish is okra(Bhindi) with Zunka. Zunka is a spicy Chickpea flour preparation, usually made in Maharashtra state in India and served with Bhakri, a hard flat bread made of Sorghum, millet, wheat and other grain combinations. Zunka is usually made of roasted chickpea flour, cooked in some spices like Ajwain(carom seeds) or fennel seeds(saunf) and onions and/or tomatoes.
Fresh or frozen Okra can usually be found at Indian stores or Asian supermarkets. frozen okra gets gooeyer, but can be crisped up with longer cooking time in open pan.
Bhindi Zunka (Okra Cooked With Chickpea Flour and Spices) Vegan Gluten Free
Bhindi Zunka (Okra cooked with chickpea flour and spices). Delicious, crispy okra that makes a great snack or appetizer. Vegan and Gluten Free Recipe.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 58kcal
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons chickpea flour (besan)
- 2 cups (200 g) chopped okra
- 1/2 teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) cumin powder
- 1/2 teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) coriander powder
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) fennel seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) turmeric powder
- pinch of asofetida (hing) - optional, it helps add a garlicky flavor and helps with digestion
- 2/3 teaspoon (0.67 teaspoon) salt or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) chili flakes or red chili powder to taste
- 2 teaspoons oil
Instructions
- In a pan, dry roast the chickpea flour on low-medium heat stirring every 15-30 seconds till it gives out an aroma or starts to change to a deeper color(5-7 minutes).
- Keep the chickpea flour aside. Add oil to the pan and heat on medium heat.
- Add in the asofetida, cumin and coriander powders and fennel seeds and mix well for a few seconds.
- Add in the turmeric and chili flakes and mix well.
- Add in the okra and mix well to coat. Cook partially covered on low-medium heat for 10 minutes.
- Add half the salt and mix well and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes till okra is tender crisp done. If the okra is too slimy, cook uncovered for a bit longer.
- Add in the roasted chickpea flour, a Tablespoon at a time, and a little more salt and mix well to coat okra. Sprinkle a few drops of water to help the chickpea flour stick to the okra(you might not need water if the okra is still gooey).
- Cook on medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring every 15 seconds till the chickpea flour is clumpy and sticking to okra pieces and not dry. Adjust salt and spice if needed, mix and take off heat. You can add more chickpea flour to make a really crusty okra which makes for a fun snack.
- Serve hot topped with chopped cilantro leaves or crushed roasted peanuts, with Roti/Naan or any Indian flat bread, and daal(lentil soup). or eat as is, as a snack!
For Variations:
- Add some chopped onion, cook for 2 minutes and then add okra. Use other spices like Ajwain(carom seeds) or mustard seeds. Add dried herbs like Oregano or Kasuri methi(fenugreek leaves) along wit the chickpea flour.
Notes
Nutritional value is based on 1 serving
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Bhindi Zunka (Okra Cooked With Chickpea Flour and Spices) Vegan Gluten Free
Amount Per Serving
Calories 58
Calories from Fat 18
% Daily Value*
Fat 2g3%
Sodium 399mg17%
Potassium 197mg6%
Carbohydrates 7g2%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 430IU9%
Vitamin C 11.5mg14%
Calcium 44mg4%
Iron 0.8mg4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
After the Liebster post earlier, I got another Liebster from Lacey at Mon petit chou, Hibou
And though I covered a bunch of my new friends on my previous liebster post.. i missed a few.. I’d love to pass some love on to
Jess at Cupcakes and Kale
Ashlae at OhLadyCakes
Jen at TheRAVegan
Jesse at The happy go Lucky Vegan
Tiziana
Awesome! I had only had okra in stews before, and this was a great discovery.
Fun fact: the combo with fennel seeds made its taste pretty similar to that of cardoons, a fond childhood memory from Sicily. Thanks as always for the great, simple recipe ❤️
Vegan Richa Support
That is very interesting – thank you, Tiziana!
Lisa Rogers
Does this recipe work well with other vegetables?
Richa
Yes with peppers broccoli cauliflower etc
Val
couldn’t quite seem to get it crispy even after extra cooking time? I can’t really say if the recipe is a 3 or a 5 because I am no expert. Either way it tasted good.
Régine Bohar
I made this recipe, and loved it. It was fast and delicious. I must say: you are a real magician with spices. My okra turned much darker than I see on the pictures, though, and it wasn’t crunchy. Also, it wasn’t slimy at all. Maybe the cooking temperature was too high? No matter what, this is a keeper. Thanks a million!
yummyfoodrecipesindia
Loved the process that you have explained in the article. It makes quite easy for me to get into steps and prepare. Thank you so much!!
moomoo
My earlier comment doesn’t seem to have posted. Loved this recipe & will make again tonight! Thank you so much for sharing.
pretzel
Thanks for this wonderful recipe! I made it with fresh okra and ate it all as is because I couldn’t wait to chop cilantro! No one else here will eat okra but with this recipe it is truly their loss and my gain. Am going to make again tomorrow or tonight with the onion and this time pre-chop my cilantro to try it that way.
Love this combination of spices and probably will try increasing the amount of each one (same delicious ratio, tho’) a bit for my spice loving tastes. My hing was stale so I included two cloves of chopped garlic in my pan. I admit I never thought to use ground fennel in my Indian-style food (still learning) and am SO glad I trusted your excellent taste judgment — it gave another dimension to my typical spice mix and did not give an overt fennel flavor.
Melissa
Another great recipe! Thanks, Richa!
Melissa
another great recipe! Thanks, Richa!
Dollie Solanki
Everyone in my family loves bhindi/okra, esp the kids. I’m trying out this recipe for lunch today coz it sounds so yumm 🙂
Anonymous
Is there another type of flour you could use?
Richa
any other bean or pea flour should work. or maybe oat flour
Richa
Thank you for trying it Never three much! am so glad u all liked it!
never three much!
Made this tonight for an appetizer, it turned out delicious! Thanks for the recipe!!
The 21st Century Housewife©
This looks delicious. I have never eaten or cooked with okra before, but I love what you have done with it here. Thank you for sharing this very interesting post with the Gallery of Favorites.
escribble
Mmmm… I love okras! Never thought of making it using chickpea flour. That looks yummy 🙂
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com
Richa
Thanks for the Liebster Scissors and spice! xoxo
Thanks Ashlae! i love love yr creations!
Thanks Elsa.. hope u like it!
Richa
Thanks Hannah.. theres a couple more ways i make okra!
Thanks Kankana.. i hear u..
Elsa
Great use for chickpea flour! I make karentika with my chickpea flour and that’s pretty much it. I look forward to having another use for it.
Ashlae
This looks so incredibly delicious. And I am going to try my hardest to make it tomorrow night.
Also, thank you for your sweet words – they always make my day!
Scissors and Spice
I nominated you for a Liebster award!
Sunshine And Smile
I don’t like okra but something like that stir fried .. i would love!
bittersweetblog
Fantastic! I always cook okra the same way (stewed with tomatoes and onions + curry powder) so this sounds like a tasty change of pace.
Richa
Thats awesome Krithi! Thanks for making it! looks like u all loved it!
Krithi's Kitchen
Richa, tried ur recipe.. check out..
https://krithiskitchen.blogspot.com/2011/10/bhindi-zunka-spiced-okra-with-chick-pea.html
Richa
Thanks savannah.. u should give okra a try.. no worries if u dont like it:)
Thanks Arati.. i’ll try it with some soy yogurt!
Thanks Kumudha! hope u try some!
Thanks Bobbie. let me know when u do!!
Bobbie {thevegancrew}
I love okra, but I’ve never cooked with it myself. This will definitely be added to my must-make list!
Kumudha
I recently discovered your blog. It’s a treat to my soul. I’m so happy to see so many vegan sweets of India.
Thank again!
arati kadav
cool! I add a little youghurt (1 spoon) and grated ginger to it as well.
inhergrace
Bhindi! I never knew what it was before. This is fascinating. Not sure I want to eat it. Looks kind of tempting in a “Want to try but not sure” way. I’ve never had okra so I’d have to try it. Always wanted to try it. Next time its in season I’ll get some! I love how you make me think of food in a totally different light. Hope all is well & your visit is great. Love!
Richa
Thanks Jay, Aipi and Kalyani! have an amazing day!
Richa
Thank you Jesse and Jess. Do let me know when u try it!
Thanks Neha.
thanks Jen.
Kalyani's Platter
interesting and delicious way of doing okra ……
aipi
This has been one of my most fav okra recipes which i have long forgotten, thanks for the beautiful reminder 🙂
USMasala
Jay
awesome dish…absolutely mouthwatering recipe..;P
Tasty Appetite
theravegan
Thanks for the blog love! I’m the only one here who will eat okra but this looks fabulous!!
Neha
Okra looksyummy…
jess
this okra looks amazing! we rarely see it fresh at the grocers around here, but i know where i can find it frozen. that might lead to mega goo, but i’m going to give a try!
and thankyou richa for the blog love! xo
Jesse
I’m a big fan of okra – once it’s cooked really well and loses the stickiness. I love the added chickpea flour and spices – I’ll definitely try this!
Richa
Thank you Shaheen.
Thanks for the bookmark Krithi!
Krithi's Kitchen
Bookmarked right away.. another interesting way to make okra!
Krithi’s Kitchen
Event: Serve It – Festival Potluck
Shaheen
Okra can be quite sticky and off putting for some, but coated in crip besan flour it is transformed into something really delicious.