Full of beans...

My mother quotes a saying quite often, “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach’’ but first, academics and then profession kept me too busy to try my hand at cooking. Then, there was a year long hiatus from office job as I shifted to Delhi from Jaipur post marriage. I had ample time to pursue any activity of my choice. Mumma’s (as I call my mother) words reverberated and I decided to develop my culinary skills. What I took up as a pastime activity soon seemed quite fascinating to me and I tried many Indian recipes at home. One dish that my husband enjoys a lot, till date, is from Karnataka cuisine, BEANS FOOGATH (after all winning his heart was the hidden agenda behind undertaking cooking after marriage!!!). And yes, this mildly spiced recipe is my favorite also as it can be cooked with zero oil and (of course, with minimum effort). Have a look at the succulent recipe:  

'BEANS FOOGATH' COOKED BY SELF PROCLAIMED CHEF 'MEETU' 

Main Ingredients

200 gram french beans

1 medium sized onion, chopped 

8-10 curry leaves

½ teaspoon mustard seeds

1 tbsp grated coconut

Salt as per taste

1 tsp lemon juice  

½ cup water

Method

1. Roast mustard seeds in a heated pan. Add curry leaves and chopped onions to it. Stir on low heat for 2 minutes. Don’t brown the onions.
2. Add French beans, salt and half cup water. Cover the pan with a plate and pour some water on the plate.
3. Cook it for 8-10 minutes or till the beans are cooked. But they should still remain a little crunchy.
4. Add lemon juice and grated coconut.
5. Mix well and serve hot.

P.S. – French beans are a rich source of vitamins, protein, fibers and omega-3 acids and this steamed recipe can also contribute greatly in cutting down your extra flab!