Spicy Avarakkai (broadbeans) Curry

As I sit here watching the election results, several things go through my mind. First of all is the high turnout of voters. The other more serious thought is of the hopes that were raised by the Obama candidacy. The promise of taking the high road and hopes of a better standard in governing. Unlike President Bush who promised to unite and pretty much split the country and pushed it so much to the extreme right. The millions of young people who were inspired to campaign and hope that he will elevate the status of America in the eyes of the world and change the dangerous course America has been taking the last few years. I only wish their hopes and aspirations would be elevated.

As voters we have done our job, now it is the new President who should do his.

Visiting the voting place and standing in line (and in my county it is like the UN with people from pretty much all over the world) with all those people who take their duties as a citizen seriously gave me a sense of jubilation much like a highly anticipated party. The number of people I saw there was much larger than the previous few elections I have voted in. The kids were off from school so it was like a holiday almost.

With overcast skies and rain expected later in the day, called out for something spicy and hot. The curry turned out exactly right.

Serves: 4-5
Ingredients
1. Avarakkai - 4 cups (stringed and cut in half)
2. 1/4 cup shallots chopped
3. 4 -5 garlic sliced
4. 2 juicy medium sized tomatoes
5. 1 tbsp tamarind pulp (optional)
6. 2 tsp turmeric powder
7. seasoning : mustard, cumin and curry leaves

To Blend
1. 10 small onions
2. 1 tbsp coriander seeds
3. 1 tsp cumin seeds
4. 5 red chilies (2 hot and 3 kashmiri chilies)

In a bit of oil toast the coriander, cumin and chilies remove to blender, saute the onions till brown. Cool and blend to a paste with a little bit of water

Method
1. In a pressure pan heat oil and add the seasonings and then the onion and saute till translucent.
2. Add the garlic and saute a bit and then add the turmeric and mix. Now add the tomatoes and saute till they get soft. Add salt
3. Now add the beans and saute for a minute or two.
4. Now add the blended paste and required amount of water (if you want it dry add only 2 -3 tbsp of water)
5.If adding tamarind add it now and mix (I did not add any because my tomatoes were sour)
6. Check for salt and close the lid and cook for 1 sound or about 5-6 minutes.
7. If too watery once the cooker cools open the lid and saute on medium heat for the desired consistency. (I wanted mine with a bit of gravy)

Alternate Method
1. If not using pressure cooker, precook the beans with a bit of salt and continue with the method described above.

Goes well with both rice and rotis. We had ours with rotis.