Bhendi ~ Mooli Masala Bhaji / Upkari.

“Bhendi ~ Mooli Masala Bhaji / Upkari” … Tried my own variation on mix and match of bhendi with moolangi (White radish) by adding on coarsely ground masala and it turned out delicious … One of the next best way to add in mooli into your diet, the first preference always being Mooli ka Paratha … Try this out, It tastes really awesome with roti / chapati … Yummy Yumz …...

It’s the season of Mooli / Radish / Moolangi and they are huge one’s available in the market. I got 5 of them, finished the three preparing the usaual paratha’s, sambar, soup and salad. Two were still remaining. Was wondering what bhaji / upkari to do. When I ransacked the fridge, to my dismay the bhendi bought a few days ago had got spoilt. I could retrieve only about 200 gms fresh one’s. Bhendi onion bhaji is something I prepare frequently, so was just wondering what to do as I had to add on another veggie to the bhendi to compensate the shortage, while my eyes fell on the mooli. Why not? After all they are veggies. After thinking for sometime, when ahead and made my own concoction of bhaji by adding bhendi and mooli together. I wanted to make it somewhat appealing and spicier, so ground some masala coarsely and added on to the same. Yummy it was really awesome, goes very well with roti / chapati … Try it, sure to love it for a change from the routine bhaji. 

** Ingredients :

Bhendi / Okra / Ladys Finger : 200 gms 

Mooli / Moolangi / White Radish: 200 gms (1 large sized)

Salt to taste

** For Tempering :

Oil : 2 tsp

Mustard Seeds / Rai / Sasam : 1 tsp

Jeera / Cumin Seeds : ½ tsp

Methi / Fenugreek Seeds : a pinch (6-8 seeds)

Curry Leaves / Kadipatta / Karbev : 8-10

Haldi / Turmeric Powder : ¼ tsp

** For the Masala to be ground coarsely :

Coconut : ½ cup freshly grated (white part / jeevi soyi)

Coriander Leaves : ½ cup fresh leaves

Garlic Cloves / Losun :8-10 

Ginger / Adrak / Alle’ : ½ inch
Green Chillies : 4-5

** Masala to be coarsely ground : In a mixer grinder add in ½ cup of freshly grated coconut with ½ cup of fresh coriander leaves, 8-10 garlic cloves peeled and chopped, 4-5 green chillies cut to pieces and ½ inch piece of ginger also chopped to pieces. Grind to a coarse paste. All the ingredients should have been ground. Remove and keep aside ready.

** Wash, pat dry the bhendi, slice off the edges (heat and tail) and then cut it into strips of 2 inches. For getting strips, first cut it horizontally into 2 inch pieces and then cut them vertically each piece into either 4 or 6 strips depending upon the thickness of the bhendi. Keep this ready aside.

** Now peel off the outer skin of the mooli / radish and cut them also into strips of the same size and width. Follow the same method as of cutting bhendi. In all you should get same size and width strips of both bhendi and mooli. Keep it ready aside. 

** Heat 2 tsp oil in a thick bottomed kadai, when hot add in 1 tsp of Mustard seeds, when they begin to splutter, add in ½ tsp of jeera, pinch of methi seeds (Optional) and 8-10 fresh curry leaves. 

** Fry for a few seconds and they add in a ¼ tsp of haldi / turmeric powder and fry for a second, now add in the cut bhendi and mooli strips and mix well. Lower the heat to minimum, cover with a fitting lid and allow to cook on its own steam. Stir once or twice in between. 

** Once the vegetables are cooked add in salt to taste mix well and then the coarsely ground masala and mix well. Once again cover with the lid and allow to cook for 3-5 minutes stirring once or twice in between. 

** “Bhendi ~ Mooli Masala Bhaji / Upkari” is done and ready to be served. Goes very well with roti / chapati / paratha. A little bit different, but a very tasty dish for sure. Do try this out when you want to have a light dinner of roti and bhaji. I have not yet tried but I am sure it will go well with poori too. 

** An earnest Request : There are many more recipes of similar type in the blog. For all my Recipes, use the search option or the label section in the Blog. If you are still not able to find it please leave a message in comment section or mail me the same. You can also go to my page (add on the left side of blog) and leave a message and I will try my best to get back to you as soon as possible … Thank you. I have also started a food group by the name "KONKANI DELICACIES" the link of which is posted on the left side of the blog page. Do join us in our culinary journey.