Beans Curry

       Fresh Green Beans are said to be low in calories (31 kcal per 100 g of raw beans) and contain no saturated fat. They are a very good source of vitamins, minerals, dietary fibers and plant derived micro nutrients. It is best recommended to have Beans in your diet at least once a week. But, it kinda gets boring, as there are not many versatile things that can be done with Beans. I stumbled upon this recipe by chance, when I decided to use the excess Red Chilly Chutney in the fridge. It turned out real good.

Ingredients:     

> Red Chillies - 3 - 4
> Jeera - 1 tsp
> Mustard Seeds - 1/2 tsp
> Channa Dal / Bengal Gram - 1 tsp
> Urad Dal / Split Black Gram - 1 tsp
> Curry Leaves - 7-8
> Turmeric - a pinch
> Onion - 1 medium, chopped finely
> Ginger Garlic Paste - 1.5 tsp
> Coriander Powder - 1/2 tsp
> Beans - 2 cups (chopped)
> Oil - 1 tbsp


For Grinding:
> Red Chillies - 3 - 4, dry fried
> Fresh Coconut grated - 2 tbsp
> Pepper - 1/2 tsp
> Coriander - 1 tbsp
> Tamarind - 1 tsp

*tsp - tea spoon
*tbsp - table spoon

• Dry fry the Red Chillies and add to a mixer. Add rest ingredients mentioned under Grinding to the mixer and grind well.
• Dry fry Red Chillies and Jeera (Mentioned under Ingredients), and Grind them coarsely with a Mortar and Pestle.
• Add Oil in a Pan and let it Heat. Add Mustard Seeds and let them splutter. Add Channa Dal, Urad Dal. Once the Dal starts turning Brown, add the coarsely ground Red Chillies and Jeera to the Pan. Add Curry Leaves and Turmeric and saute for 30 seconds.
• Add Onions to the Pan and fry till the Onions sweat / turn translucent. Sprinkle little salt on Onions to make them cook faster.
• Add the mixer ground mixture to the pan and saute well for a minute. Add the ginger Garlic mixture to the Pan and saute well for couple of minutes.
• Add the chopped Beans, Dhania powder and Salt and saute for 2 more minutes. Adjust Salt accordingly, and add 3 tbsp (a little less than 1/4th cup) of water and cook covered on low to medium flame for 20 minutes, with stirring in intervals.
• Check if Beans are cooked and turn off the stove. Enjoy Beans Fry / Beans Curry with Rice.

Note: Any kind of Beans can be used in this recipe.
          Add Chilly Powder if spice levels are not sufficient.
          Add very less water to the beans, as they get cooked well in steam.