French Beans Kadhi

                                                                           

                                                                             

                                                                               

Everyone has heard of kadhi with pakora. Check out this variation of the traditional kadhi.It is lighter and far more nutritious as it does away with the deep fried pakora and instead has french beans, cooked in very little oil.

Initially I was a bit sceptical of vegetable based kadhi popular in parts of UP (India), but  I have come to like them and prepare them once in a while for a change.

Ingredients:

1 cup yoghurt
3 table spoon besan (gram flour)
1 cup french beans, chopped
1 onion, sliced
2 tea spoon garlic,finely chopped
1/2 inch ginger, finely chopped
1/2 tea spoon red chilly powder
1/2 tea spoon turmeric powder
Salt to taste
1/2 tea spoon jeera (cumin seed)
1/4 tea spoon methi (fenugreek seeds)
Pinch of hing (asafoetida)
3 table spoon oil
4-5 cups of water

Method:   Chop french beans. Chop ginger and garlic. Slice onion finely. Mix gram flour with little water and then add 4 -5 cups of water. Also add the yoghurt.  Whisk well to make a smooth mixture or use blender.

In a pan add 1 table spoon oil and add half the chopped garlic and after a minute add the french beans. Add a pinch of salt, cover and let it cook on low flame. If needed add a little water. Cook till tender.

In another heavy bottom pan pour 2 table spoon oil and add the cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds and asafoetida. When the seeds change colour add the chopped ginger, garlic and onions.  Fry till onion is translucent.  Add the red chilly powder, turmeric powder and salt.  Immediately afterwards add the yoghurt and gram flour mixture.  Keep stirring on high till it comes to boil. Lower the flame, cover with a lid and let it cook for about ten minutes till  kadhi loses raw flavour and is almost ready. Add the french beans and cook for a few more minutes. Serve hot.

If you want you can temper the kadhi with ghee, jeera and pinch of red chilly powder before serving.In case you find the kadhi too thick, add more water.