I remember fresh val beans (pachai mochai) from childhood, during season there were always in abundance and everyone was rounded up to shell them. A tamarind spiked spicy gravy made with with brinjals and fresh val beans was a big favorite. It has also boxed me into a narrow idea that Val beans have to be cooked in a tamarind based gravy. Not necessarily, a vast array of possibilites opened up after tasting val in a peanut based gravy.
Val Beans in a peanut gravy(Mochai Kuzhambu)
Ingredients
1. 2 Cups dried val beans soaked overnight
2. 1/2 cup onions chopped
3. 1/4 cup sour tomatoes (2 tbsp tamarind extract for unsour tomatoes, optional)
4. seasonings: mustard, cumin seeds and curry leaves
5. salt to taste + 1 tsp oil
For the peanut paste
1. 1/4 cup roasted unsalted peanuts (shelled and skin removed)
2. 1 tbsp coriander seeds
3. 4-5 red chilies
4. 1 tbsp grated fresh/frozen coconut
5. 1/2 tbsp grated ginger (I forgot to add them)
Dry roast the coriander, red chillies till they start to turn brown. Add the coconut and ginger if using and roast till it starts to turn slightly brown. Cool and blend to a smooth paste, adding a couple of tbsp of water if required.
Method
1. Wash and rinse the beans and set aside
2.In a pressure cooker, add oil and when hot add the seasonings
3. Add the onions and saute till translucent
4. Add the beans and saute for 5-10 minutes
5. Add the tomatoes and saute for a few minutes till they become soft
6. Add in the blended paste and 2 cups of water. Do not add salt now.
7. Close the lid and cook for 2 whistles. Let cool, add salt and boil for a minute more.
Note:
1. The val beans can be precooked, in which case they will be added after the peanut paste has been added.
2. Pressure cooker is not a must. Can be cooked in a pan with lid
I am loving the gravy. Is it same as black eyed peas or something different?
ReplyDeleteLove mochai (though I didn't know they were the same as vaal - one of the varieties of Vaal I used to have in Maharashtra was white, bigger and bitter) and not had it for a very long time now. Was difficult enough to get fresh mochai in Chennai , Delhi is even more difficult if not impossible.
ReplyDeleteThe curry looks delicious - what a neat idea to make it peanut based - as you said, we always had it in a tamarind based curry or cooked it dry with potatoes
new for me,..looks yum,..
ReplyDeleteMy all time favourite kuzhambu..makes me hungry..
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what this val beans is i have to look to one of the indian books to know what the mally name is.
ReplyDeleteLove that look of that gravy.
Wow this curry looks fabulous. Loved the flavors in them, and how convenient I got some val beans just recently and have been wondering what to make with it ! Now I know:-)
ReplyDeleteI've never come across this dish - guess it's from the Rayalaseema side? It looks and sounds good.
ReplyDeleteAhhh...your new workplace then is exciting :-)
ReplyDelete