BEANS USILI

Beans usili is a traditional dish prepared in South India more particularly by the brahmins. It's a lovely combination of lentil prepared in a particular way and mixed with beans. Its packed with nutrients and can be made with very little oil. Beans usili can be a good side dish for sambhar rice or mix it with hot rice with little ghee. It's delicious!

Usili is usually prepared using beans, cluster beans or banana flower. At home we use either cluster beans or beans.

INGREDIENTS

Beans - 30 nos

Toor dhal - 3/4 cup

Dry Red chili - 5 

Asafoetida - 1 tsp

Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric - 1/2 tsp
Split Urad dhal - 1/2 tsp

Curry leaves

Salt 

METHOD

Wash and soak the toor dhal for an hour. Meanwhile, wash and cut the beans into small pieces. Cook beans with water and salt till done and keep aside. 

Drain the dhal of water and grind it to a coarse paste with cumin seeds, asafoetida, dry red chilies and salt. 

Heat oil in a kadai and add split urad dhal and curry leaves then add the ground paste with little turmeric and fry on low heat for about 11- 15 mins. You can also steam the ground paste in an idli maker. 

When it reaches a crumbly texture, add the beans and stir well. Check for salt. 

Cook for another 5-10 mins and beans usili is ready.