SPICY CLUSTER BEANS(gawar-ki-phalli)

Cluster beans (guar or mattikayalu) is the lesser known cousin of the more popular french bean, it is a pale green coloured bean and interestingly finds use as guar gum which is used in dairy products like ice-cream and as a stabilizer in cheese and cold meat processing .I was introduced to this bean by my ma-in-law fairly recently, and i must say I have been hooked ever since, beautiful and with a delicate nutty flavour ,it is quite popular with indians ,the use of garlic and curry leaves in this recipe further enhances their mellowness.

ingredients for spicy cluster beans

Ingredients-
cluster beans-500 gms
onion- 1 medium (finely chopped)
garlic cloves- 6-7
kadhi-patta(curry leaves)-7-8
mustard seeds-1/2 tsp.
green chilli-1
refined oil- 1 tbsp
turmeric pwdr-1/2 tsp
sambhar masala-1/2 tsp
salt to taste

spicy cluster beans-ready to eat

Method-
Wash and pat dry the beans ,string and cut into 3' pieces. Heat oil in a pressure cooker and add the mustard seeds till they sputter and the curry leaves, next add the very finely chopped onions and fry on low heat till pink.
Grind the chilli and garlic together ,add to onions and cook for another five minutes,add the sambhar masala,and turmeric and salt and stir well lastly add the beans and let cook for 2-3 mins. ,close pressure cooker after adding about 1/4 cup of water and give 3 whistles, open when whistle drops ,dry if there is any excess water.Enjoy with hot chapatis or on its own.



This recipe is off to sunita at -http://sunitabhuyan.blogspot.com/2007/08/my-monthly-event-think-spice-think.html