Cluster Beans Stir Fry / Kothavarangai Poriyal

Cluster beans Poriyal is an easy to make, healthy stir fry that can be served as an accompaniment to rice paired with sambar / dhal, rasam or curd.

Though a simple recipe, often prepared in many south Indian homes; we have it here for the benefit of beginners in cooking.

Cluster beans is a low calorie vegetable with many medicinal and nutritional properties. It is rich in soluble fibers and also contains various vitamins, carbohydrates and minerals.

So,try to include this stir fry often in your menu and stay healthy & fit.

Ingredients:

Cluster beans / Kothavarangai - 250 gms
Onion - 1(finely chopped)
Turmeric powder - ¼ tsp 
Red chilli powder / sambar powder - ½ to 1 tsp
Grated coconut - 1 to 2 tbsp
Salt - to taste

For Seasoning:
Oil - 2 to 3 tsp
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Urad dhal - ½ tsp
Jeera seeds - ½ tsp
Red chillies - 2
Curry leaves - 1 sprig

Directions:

Wash, chop both the ends of the cluster beans; discard it.

Chop the rest into small pieces.

Heat oil in a pan and season it with mustard seeds, once it splutters add urad dhal, jeera seeds, red chilli and curry leaves.

Once the urad dhal is browned, add finely chopped onions.  Saute till colour changes.

Now add chopped cluster beans, salt, turmeric powder, red chilli / sambar powder and water (just to immerse the cluster beans).  Give it a mix.

Close the pan with a lid and cook the cluster beans in a medium flame till it becomes soft and water dries up.

Sprinkle grated coconut and give it a thorough mix. Switch off the gas.

Serve as a accompaniment with rice paired with sambar / rasam.

Note:

You can also pressure cook cluster beans separately and use it to prepare this  stir fry.

You can add ½ tomato to this stir fry for different taste.

Those who want to have a low fat diet can avoid coconut and relish.