Bhinda Bataka nu Shaak / Okra Potato Sabzi
Growing up, my mom would make traditional Gujarati food for dinner most days. My brother and I loved eating a Gujarati thaali (not all the time) and one of my favorites was Bhinda Bataka nu Shaak. The crunchy exterior of the potato that’s just soft enough to melt on the inside and the crispy okra to finish off the dish is just the perfect reminder of home to me.
Yum
When I made this dish, I was so excited to share my love for it with kids. I’ll be honest though, they didn’t take to the okra which broke my heart. Sort of. They ate the potatoes though. But I’m going to keep trying to share my love of okra and hope one day they do like it as much as I do.
But okra is so slimy!
Trust me, I know! So my hack…. use frozen or pre-cut okra. And fresh squeezed lemon juice. Wait, what? Yep, lemon juice helps break down the slime without turning your veggies into mush.
Want to know something even more cool? The “slime” (known as mucilage) actually contains soluble fiber. Here are a few more benefits of eating okra:
- High in antioxidants such as beta-carotene, xanthin, and lutein
- Good source of Folate
- Good source of Vit. C, Vit. A, and Vit. K
- Good source of Non-Dairy Calcium, Iron, Manganese, and Magnesium
So try this delicious sabzi for your next Gujarati thaali. It’s delicious and healthy and so easy to make. Try it out!
From my kitchen to yours, I hope this dish brings you the joy it brings me.
