5 – Lunch box style Veggies 

Embark on a culinary journey through the vibrant and diverse flavors of India with our collection of hearty and wholesome vegetable bhaji recipes. In this gastronomic adventure, we’ll guide you through the preparation of five delectable dishes: Home Style Bhindi, Cauliflower Matar Bhaji, Gavar Batat Bhaji, Matki Usal, and Simple Matar Batata Bhaji.

These recipes encapsulate the essence of home-cooked Indian cuisine, offering a delightful combination of fresh vegetables, aromatic spices, and traditional techniques. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a kitchen novice, these dishes are designed to be both approachable and delicious, making them perfect for daily meals or special occasions.

Home Style Bhindi

Ingredients – 

1. Bhindi / Ladies finger / Okara – cut into 1 inch cubes – 2 cups
2. Onion – finely chopped – 1
3. Tomato – finely chopped – 1
4. Vegetable – 1 TBSP
5. Mohri / Mustard seeds – 1 Tsp
6. Jeera / Cumin seeds – 1 Tsp
7. Hing powder – 1/4 Tsp
8. Turmeric powder – 1 Tsp
9. Red chili powder – 1 Tsp
10. Garam Masala powder – 2 Tsp
11. Cilantro for garnishing
12. Salt to taste

Method – 

1.  Heat a Pan on medium flame. Once hot add oil. Once the oil is hot, add mustard seeds. Once they splutter, add cumin seeds and hing powder. Add Onions and sauté till they turn translucent. Add chopped tomatoes and sauté till they turn mushy. Add turmeric powder, chili powder, garam masala, salt to taste. Mix well and sauté for another 2-3 minutes.
2. Add cut bhindi and mix well. Lower the flame and cook on medium to low flame. Secret for non-sticky bhindi is cooking on low flame and stirring.  Do not cover while cooking. 
3. Garnish with finely chopped cilantro and serve hot with roti or rice.

Cauliflower – Matar Bhaji  – 

Ingredients – 

1.  Green Peas – 1 cup
2.  Cauliflower florets – and cubed – 1 cup
3.  Onion – finely chopped – 1 small
4.  Tomato finely chopped – 1
5.  Black mustard seeds – 1 Tsp
6.  Cumin seeds – 1 Tsp
7.  Hing powder – 1/4 Tsp
8.  Turmeric powder – 1 Tsp
9.  Red Chilli powder – 1 Tsp
10. Sabji Masala – 1 Tsp
11.  Vegetable Oil – 2 TBSP
12.  Salt to taste.

Method – 

1. Heat a pan on medium heat and add oil.
2. Once the oil is hot add mustard seeds. Once they splutter , add the cumin seeds and
3. hing powder.
4. Add finely chopped onions and saute well.
5.  Add turmeric powder and mix well.
6. Add the green peas and cauliflower florets and mix well.
7. Add red chilli powder , sabji masala and mix well. Add salt to taste mix well. Saute for another 2-3 minutes.
8. Add water to adjust consistency . Cover and cook till the vegetables are half cooked.
9.  Add finely chopped tomatoes and mix well. Cover again and cook for another 3-4 minutes or until the vegetables are cooked.
10. Garnish with finely chopped cilantro. Severe hot with rice or roti.

Gavar – Batat Bhaji 

Ingredients – 

1. Gavar / Cluster beans – chopped – 2 cups
2.  Potato – cubed – ½ cup
3.  Onion – finely chopped – 1
4.  Black mustard seeds – 1 Tsp
5.  cumin seeds – 1 Tsp
6.  Hing powder – 1/4 Tsp
7. Turmeric powder – 1 Tsp
8.  Red Chilli powder – 1 Tsp
9.  Goda Masala or Garam Masala – 1 TBSP
10.  Vegetable Oil – 1 TBSP
11.  Salt to taste.
12.  Jaggery – ½ Tsp
13.  Water – ½ cup
14.  Freshly grated coconut – ¼ cup
15.  Freshly chopped cilantro for garnishing .

Method – 

1. Heat a Pan on medium flame. Once hot add oil.
2.  Once the oil is hot add mustard seeds. Once they splutter , add cumin seeds and hing powder.
3.  Add Onions and saute till they turn translucent.
4.  Add gavar and potato and mix well.
5.  Add turmeric powder , chilli powder, goda or garam masala , salt to taste. Mix well and saute for another 2-3 minutes.
6. Add 2-3 TBSP water. Cover and let it cook till veggies are cooked . Add freshly grated coconut and mix well.
7.  Garnish with finely chopped cilantro and serve hot with roti or rice.

Matki Usal – 

Ingredients – 

1. Matki sprouts – 2 cups
2. Onion finely chopped – 1
3. Tomato – finely chopped – 1
4. Freshly coconut shredded – ½ cup
5. Garlic – 3-4 cloves
6. Ginger – ½ inch
7. Vegetable oil – 1 TBSP
8. Mustard seeds – 1 TSP
9. Cumin seeds – 1 TSP
10. Hing powder – 1/4 Tsp
11. Turmeric powder – 1 Tsp
12. Red Chilli powder – 1 Tsp
13. Jaggery – ½ Tsp
14. Garam Masala / Goda masala – 1 Tsp
15. Freshly grated coconut – ⅛ cup
16. Salt to taste.
17. Cilantro – finely chopped for garnishing

Method – 

1. Sprout the whole matki
2. For the masala – In a grinder add coconut , garlic cloves , ginger . Grind them together adding 1 TBSP water to form a smooth paste.
3. Heat a Pan on medium flame. Once hot add oil.
4. Once the oil is hot add mustard seeds. Once they splutter , add cumin seeds and hing powder.
5. Add Onions and saute till they turn translucent. Add tomatoes and saute till they turn mushy.
6. Add sprouted matki. Mix well.
7. Add turmeric powder , chilli powder, goda masala , salt to taste. Mix well and saute for another 2-3 minutes.
8. Add the onion coconut masla and mix well.
9. Add water to adjust consistency. Cover and let it cook till sprouts get cooked.
10. Garnish with finely chopped cilantro and serve hot with roti or rice.

Simple Matar Batata Bhaji – 

Ingredients – 

1. Green Peas – 1 cup
2.  Potato – peeled and cubed – 2
3.  Onion – finely chopped – 1 small
4.  Tomato finely chopped – 1
5.  Black mustard seeds – 1 Tsp
6.  Cumin seeds – 1 Tsp
7.  Hing powder – 1/4 Tsp
8.  Turmeric powder – 1 Tsp
9.  Red Chilli powder – 1 Tsp
10. Sabji Masala – 1 Tsp
11.  Vegetable Oil – 2 TBSP
12.  Salt to taste.

Method – 

1. Heat a pan on medium heat and add oil.
2. Once the oil is hot add mustard seeds. Once they splutter , add the cumin seeds and hing powder.
3. Add finely chopped onions and saute well. Add the finely chopped tomatoes and mix well. Saute till the tomatoes turn mushy.
4. Add turmeric powder , red chili powder , sabji masala and mix well. Add salt to taste mix well. Saute for another 2-3 minutes.
5. Add green peas and potatoes and mix well.
6.  Add water to adjust consistency . Cover and cook till the vegetables are well cooked.
7.  Garnish with finely chopped cilantro and serve with hot roti or rice.