kothavarangai usilli/ Cluster-beans fry

                  The cluster beans are flatter and smaller cousin of french beans. they provide a rich source of protein and fiber. To tone down the slight bitter taste of cluster beans I made paruppu usili.

Serves up to 4 people
Preparation time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

500 grams of cluster beans
1 tsp of cumin powder
1/4 cup of Bengal gram
1 tbsp of toor dhal
1/4 tsp of turmeric
2 red chillies
1 tbsp of grated ginger
1 clove of garlic
2 tbsp of oil
salt as required

For seasoning:
1 tsp of mustard
8 curry leaves
3-4 green chillies
pinch of asafoetida

Preparation:


1.Soak Bengal gram and toor dhal in water for 1 hour. Grind toor dhal, Bengal gram, ginger, garlic and red chillies together in to a coarse paste. Make lemon-sized balls.
2.Cut the cluster beans into 1 inch pieces. Cook cluster beans (steam in a pan) with turmeric and 1/2 tsp of salt till it is 75% done.
3.Steam the lemon-sized balls of dhal for 10-15 minutes. Once cooked, break the balls into pieces.
4.In a preheated skillet, add 1 tbsp of oil. Add the seasoning to the pan. As the mustard sputters, add cluster beans and saute well. Add the cooked dhal to the pan. 
5.Keep sauteing for 10 minutes,add another tbsp of oil, cumin powder and salt. Saute till the cluster beans is cooked.