South Indian Style French Beans With Coconut

                                                                               

                                                                        
This is a lovely recipe for french beans that I am personally very fond of.  I like nothing better than to have it with sambar, steaming rice and papad!

 French Beans Poriyal is the actual name of this recipe which is very popular across South India. One can follow the same recipe to make cabbage, carrot etc also.

The recipe I am sharing here was given me by a friend's mother, who passed away a year back. Aunty was one of  the most affectionate persons I ever came across and a  superlative cook. Her cooking reflected her consummate knowledge of the culinary arts and her innate warmth. Miss you aunty!


Ingredients: 

250 gms french beans
2 to 3 tbsps grated coconut
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp urad dal
2 whole dry red chillies
2-3 cloves of garlic
Few curry leaves
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
Salt to taste
1 tbsp oil
1/4 cup water

Method:    Wash and cut french beans. Grate coconut. Wash and pat dry the curry leaves. Now heat a heavy bottom pan and add oil.  When the oil gets heated add the mustard seeds and urad dal. When the mustard seeds start spluttering, add the red chillies( broken in two), curry leaves and turmeric powder. Immediately afterwards add the french beans. Add crushed garlic, salt and mix well.  Pour 1/4 cup water and cover.  Let it cook on low flame, stirring from time to time, till french beans is tender. Switch off flame and add grated coconut.

If you like it more spicy, crush 1 or 2 green chillies with the garlic and add.