This is the vegetable what I did not buy from the market in this summer season. Then? What did I do? Yes, you got it correctly. I am growing this vegetable in my garden. It is so easy to grow. If you do not have a yard then also you can grow this vegetable in the container. You just need 6 pots/containers (10 inch size) and grow 2-3 plants in each pot/container. So if you have 4 members in the family then you just need approx 15 plants. So you can harvest okra/bhindi 3-4 times in a week and make various dishes along with most simple & delicious boiled okra (very simple Bengali style bhendi recipe, in fact, the most simple one).
Though it is not just Bengali style bhendi recipe but also a popular food across the South East Asian countries. I used to eat such boiled okra (Bhendi in Bengali) since my childhood.
In West Bengal, people mash boiled or steamed okra (Bhendi) to make it delicious. They add a small amount of raw mustard oil & raw finely chopped onion too.
This boiled (or steamed) okra is super healthy food. It is said that it contains a significant amount of fiber, antioxidants, magnesium and vitamins. Many people also eat this vegetable regularly to control diabetes. Some people say that if you soak okra overnight and drink the okra soaked water in the morning then it may reduce blood sugar. I think you have also heard this.
Also read: Bhindi masala, Bengali style bhindi fry, Punjabi style achaari bhindi
How to boil okra/lady’s finger/bhindi/bhendi?
Many people add whole bhindi/okra directly to the pot when they are cooking rice. But it may affect the taste of boiled rice. So it is better to boil okra separately, you can add salt & lemon juice to the boiling water if you wish for the better taste of the boiled bhindi.
But steaming is the best method because it does not drain out its nutrient. So you can use any steamer to make it.
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