Kundru Bhujia
Thin-sliced kundru cooked with onions, simple spices, and very little oil until tender with lightly crisp edges. This everyday North Indian stir-fry is quick, comforting, and pairs well with roti or dal-rice meals.
For 4 servings
- prep · ~15 min
Slice the kundru and prepare the aromatics.
1.Wash the kundru well and trim both ends.2.Slice each kundru thinly lengthwise for even cooking.3.Slice the onion thinly and slit the green chilies.TIPKeep the kundru slices thin and similar in size so they soften evenly and get lightly crisp at the edges. - saute · ~2 min
Heat the oil and cook the cumin.
Heat mustard oil in a kadai over medium heat until it is hot and aromatic. Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle for a few seconds.
- saute · ~4 min
Cook the onion and green chili.
Add the sliced onion and green chilies. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the onion turns soft and lightly golden.
- mix · ~2 min
Add the kundru and spices.
1.Add the sliced kundru to the pan and mix well with the onion.2.Sprinkle in turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and salt.3.Stir well so the slices are evenly coated with oil and spices. - saute · ~12 min
Cook the kundru until tender.
Cook uncovered over medium-low heat for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes, until the kundru is tender and a few edges look lightly browned.
TIPDo not add water. Slow cooking in its own moisture keeps the bhujia dry and helps it brown instead of turning soggy. - garnish
Finish with lemon juice and cilantro.
Turn off the heat and drizzle in the lemon juice. Add chopped cilantro and toss once more.
- serve
Serve the kundru bhujia hot.
What to keep in mind.
7 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Slice the kundru as evenly and thinly as possible so it softens at the same time and gets those signature lightly crisp edges.
- 2Heat mustard oil until it smells sharp and nutty before adding cumin; this mellows its raw pungency and gives the bhujia a fuller North Indian flavor.
- 3Keep the pan uncovered throughout cooking so the kundru fries in its own moisture instead of steaming and turning limp.
- 4Stir every couple of minutes, not constantly, so some slices can sit on the hot pan long enough to brown.
- 5Add lemon juice only after switching off the heat; it keeps the finish bright and prevents the sabzi from tasting flat.
- 6If your kundru is very mature with hard seeds, discard the seediest core pieces so the texture stays tender.
- 7Leftovers reheat best in a hot tawa or skillet rather than the microwave, which can soften the browned edges.
Adapt it for your goals.
Aloo-kundru
Add thin matchsticks of potato with the kundru for a more filling, classic homestyle version with extra crisp edges.
low oilLow-oil
Reduce the oil slightly and use a well-heated heavy pan; stir less often so the kundru still browns without needing much fat.
garlicGarlic
Add a little chopped garlic after the cumin for a deeper, more savory flavor that pairs especially well with dal-rice meals.
jainJain
Skip the onion and use a pinch of hing in hot oil instead; the dish stays dry, aromatic, and suitable for Jain-style meals.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Vegetable-Forward Side
Kundru makes this a light sabzi built around a whole vegetable rather than a heavy gravy, fitting well into everyday balanced meals.
Moderate Oil Cooking
The bhujia uses just a small amount of oil and relies on slow uncovered cooking for texture instead of deep-frying.
Spice and Herb Support
Cumin, coriander, turmeric, green chili, lemon, and cilantro add aroma and flavor without needing rich sauces or cream.
Frequently asked questions
Usually the slices were too thick, the pan was covered, or water was added. Cook uncovered over medium-low heat so excess moisture can evaporate.
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