I am back at my mom’s place once again!
I love how flexible our lives are and how often I can come here. As both my husband and I work out of home, we can decide when, where and how much we want to work. I have not been working much after my daughter was born as I want to spend lots of time with her, cooking, eating, playing and explore life together. We are not considering enrolling her in a school in the near future as I personally believe that kids bellow 6 have very little to learn in a school environment. My daughter loves coming to her grandparents’ house. I like the fact that she is a free bird and will have a childhood filled with memories of time spent here. Lots good food, fresh air, free space and people who totally adore her! What more can a 2 year old ask for! I love it too 
I wouldn’t change anything about our life! It’s nearly perfect.
After an over dose of sugar by indulging in tons of cakes and cookies, I am happy to be getting a much needed break. I am glad I don’t have an oven here which means no temptation! I am living on lots of fresh fruits, vegetables with red rice, tender coconut and green tea. It’s been just one day and I already feel lighter!
Today we had a simple stir fry/playa/sabji with long beans or string beans for lunch. Long beans or alasande (in Kannada) is a very common vegetable in this region. We grow these in our farm every monsoon. As children (I remember), crispy long beans straight out of the creeper were one of our favorite snacks. Long beans are generally available in ‘Mangalore stores’ in Bangalore and could be available in ‘Asian stores’ outside India. Always make sure it’s fresh and tender. Long beans taste sweet and slightly crunchy when cooked right. It has a beautiful mild flavor so avoid over cooking it.
Here is a very simple, easy recipe which takes less than 10 minutes prepare. It’s tasty, nutritious and with a bowl of rice makes a great meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 bunch of long beans
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1tsp de-husked black gram
- ½ tsp black mustard seeds
- 1 green chili
- Salt
Clean and cut long beans into 1 inch long pieces.
Heat oil in a pan. Add de-husked black gram and black mustard seeds. When the mustard starts to splutter and the black gram turns golden from white, add the split green chili. Immediately add the chopped long beans and mix well. Now sprinkle with some salt and cover and cook for a couple of minutes. Long beans will get moist and soft. Cook it in low flame for 5 to 10 minutes. If it looks too dry sprinkle some water. Use as little water as possible and don’t overcook it. If overcooked beans will get mushy and tasteless.
Serve hot with a bowl of rice or roti/flat bread.
22 comments :
Kundige Palya/Banana Blossom Stir-fry for ‘Terra Madre’ – World Slow Food Day | love food eat December 10, 2012 4:26AM
[...] I think most people can enjoy it. In our Havyaka cuisine, it’s usually made into a Tambli and palya (stir-fry) or a spicy chutney. It’s also made into fritters which are deep-fried. I am sharing the [...]
Amaranth Leaves, Photos From My Mom’s Kitchen | love food eat November 13, 2012 10:38AM
[...] It’s then toped with some freshly grated coconut.You can see my basic everyday Palya recipe here. Amaranth leaves are extremely nutritious and delicious, my one more favorite way to eat them in [...]
Deepa August 11, 2011 7:23PM
Simple but so satifying! I love beans curry! Your pictures are gorgeous.
Miriam July 26, 2011 8:32AM
i love these beans cooked this way…..fresh n’ healthy….the amount of time you get with your daughter seems like a dream come true….its great that you get to do this….:)
Swetha July 16, 2011 12:02AM
I really want to try this! Along with the ingredients you posted my mum also put fresh grated coconut which made it taste amazing!
Chinmayie July 16, 2011 4:22PM
Fresh coconut is great on this! I don’t use it always though
Sasha @ The Procrastobaker July 15, 2011 11:02AM
Brilliant recipe and utterly gorgeous photography, you managed to make a long bean look pretty…talent!
We have lots of beans growing in our veggie patch, and although i love our default way of cooking them this would be a lovely way to mix it up a little. Thank you lots and if we get to try it out i will be sure to let you know 
Chinmayie July 16, 2011 4:31PM
Thanks Sasha
Emma (Emma+Jacob) July 15, 2011 12:27AM
I looove long beans, and I’ve been looking for various ways to cook them to keep my husband interested in his veggies. Thanks for this!
Chinmayie July 16, 2011 4:32PM
Glad you found this helpful Emma
Elise July 14, 2011 10:13PM
I guess I could use french beans (I live in the UK) they sound similar enough. I really want to try this dish!
Chinmayie July 16, 2011 4:33PM
You can definitely use french beans Elise. In fact you can try many other vegetables in the same recipe as this is one of our most basic way of cooking vegetables.
kankana July 14, 2011 9:48PM
Now I am so J. I am waiting for Nov to go home and spend time with Mom
I eat this bean a lot .. it’s easy to cook and taste so good! The third photo is my fav .. loving the dark tone!
Chinmayie July 16, 2011 4:34PM
Thanks Kankana
Brooke July 14, 2011 7:09PM
Very nice! What is “black gram”? Is it part of what they use to make garam masala? Also, what kind of chili do you use? Is it really spicy? This dish looks so pretty!
Chinmayie July 16, 2011 4:41PM
Black gram is not a part of gharam masala. It’s actually used idli and dosa recipes, if you are familiar with Indian cooking. read more about it here – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vigna_mungo
I used regular Indian green chili and it’s spicier than jalapeños but milder than small Thai chilies.
sarah July 14, 2011 6:46PM
You life sounds wonderful- Its great you get to spend so much time with your daughter! Your pictures are just lovely as usual and this recipe looks great- going in the keeper pile for sure!
Chinmayie July 16, 2011 4:42PM
Thank you so much Sarah
Nithya July 14, 2011 5:53PM
Wow.. simple and delicious dish captured really well. Love your clicks a lot
Guess Im here for the first time and Im loving the way you write and click pics too
Keep it going.
Nithya
http://www.4thsensecooking.com
Chinmayie July 16, 2011 4:43PM
Thanks for visiting my blog Nithya
Radhika @ foodfor7stages July 14, 2011 5:31PM
You know what, I am feeling nostalgic after seeing those props, tiles and food. I cherish the time I spent at my grandparents. I thank my parents for letting me stay with them while they were in Chennai.
Jackie July 14, 2011 3:48PM
These look so lovely =) The photos are beautiful!