Friday, February 22, 2008

Spinach with Red Beans

Fresh spinach is one of those things which is hard to resist. On my weekly visits to the Lancaster Dutch Market the minute I see the fresh green leaves, inviting thoughts of vitamins, minerals and nutrients run through my head. But by then it is too late the pack has already been purchased. I had just such a pack sitting in the refrigerator and thoughts of cooking Spinach with dal or potatoes or mashed by itself did not seem appealing enough. Bee to the rescue, saw her post on Canary Beans with Fenugreek Leaves though I did not have fenugreek leaves or canary beans or vangi bhaath powder, had perfect substitutions for all of them. I had this fresh pack of spinach beans, some unopened red Cargamanto Beans and the ever ready sambhar powder. Red Cargamanto Beans are nutty and very similar to the Dominican beans when cooked with boiled peanutty taste.


Photobucket
Red Cargamanto Beans


Recipe Source : Canary Beans with Fenugreek leaves

Ingredients
1. 2 Cups of packed fresh Spinach leaves washed and roughly chopped
2. 1 Cup of Red Cargamanto Beans soaked overnight and cooked to tender
3. 1/2 Medium Red Onion chopped
4. 3 cloves garlic chopped
5. 1 tbsp sambhar powder
6. seasonings: curry leaves, mustard and cumin


Photobucket


Paste
1. 1 tbsp fresh grated coconut
2. 1 green chili
3. 1 tsp of cumin seeds

lightly roast the above and make into a paste

Method
1. Heat a tsp of oil and add the seasonings when the mustard starts to pop
2. add the onions and garlic and saute till translucent
3. add the spinach leaves and let them cook till soft
4. add the sambhar powder and mix
5. add the cooked beans and let it simmer for about 3-4 minutes
6. add the coconut paste and salt and simmer for a few minutes

Ready flavorful spinach a perfect side dish to rice or chapatis.


Novel Reading:
The Appeal by John Grisham
Nothing compared to some of his earlier books but a good read.

16 comments:

  1. YUM! I love the color of that beans Indo, great looking healthy dish.
    I just found out where the Whole Foods store is here y'day, will be visiting that this weekend! YAY!:)

    ReplyDelete
  2. You always introduce me to the most eye-catching beans! And your combinations of vegetables and beans look so delicious. This one is making me hungry.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Have never heard of this type of bean before, but the combo of beans and spinach looks delicious!! Love the masala you've used, as well. Nice post! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. The color of the beans and the greens looks awesome. Great combo.

    ReplyDelete
  5. The dish looks beautiful - the reds and greens together are fabulous. I have never before cooked with canary beans, but will be on the lookout for them now. Thanks for the healthy recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Lovely beans, and i personally LOVE the combination of beans an greens! Its not just good to taste, its very healthy too!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Looks delicious. I've never used this beans

    ReplyDelete
  8. both the beans and the final dish are soooo gorgeous. and linda never stops raving about your sambar podi. so this must've been awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love spinach. I never tried spinach with Red beans. Thanks for sharing this recipe. Color combination of spinach & beans looks good

    ReplyDelete
  10. I've never seen these beans before. Lovely combination and beautiful picture.

    ReplyDelete
  11. If you only knew how many beans I have here, just waiting to see this yummy recipe! I still haven't found the original 'peanutty' variety -- but got something close the other day so I'll give this a try. Thankfully I have lots of lovely sambhar powder :):)
    The market looks like a wonderful weekly stop :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. wow!!yummy one ...very different combination ...never heard of this ...must have tasted great

    ReplyDelete
  13. this looks fantastic. Adding sambar is a great idea, thickens up the whole dish, eh?

    ReplyDelete
  14. I don't think that I have ever seen these beans before. It looks yummy,

    ReplyDelete
  15. Cargamanto one more beans I've never heard of :) I love spinach in any form... the dish looks great!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Sounds yummy - I'm a spinach and greens and beans freak myself - anytime mom makes spinach sambar, I have to be sent a bowlful! I'll definitely try this, though with rajma since we don't get exotic beans here.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by. Appreciate you taking the time.
Comments embedded with links, spam and in poor taste will not be published.