Gawar( cluster beans) ki subzi

These cluster bean recipes are healthy and easy. Known as known as gawar in marati and hindi,mitki in konkani goru chikkudu, or kothavara in various Indian languages, cluster beans are a type of green beans grown in India, especially in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra and north Karnataka  They are a flatter, smaller version of the regular green (French or string) beans. These beans stay fresh for a couple of weeks when wrapped in plastic and stored in the refrigerator. Cluster beans are very healthy as they are are full of protein and fibre. Unlike the regular green beans, cluster beans have a slightly bitter taste. To tone down the bitterness, i use lots of onion or freshly grated coconut and also use tamarind or tomatoes to cut down the bitterness...this is my kids favourite dish,i often prepare for their tiffin box along with chapati ( Indian flat bread)

Prep time: 20 mins
Cook time: 20-15 minutes
Ingredients

• 250 grams Gawar/cluster beans
• 3 Onions ( sliced)
• 3tsp Red chilly powder
• 10-12 Garlic cloves ( chopped)
• 2 Tomatoes ( chopped)
• 1tsp Garam masala or kanda lasun masala
• 1/2tsp Turmeric powder
• 1tbsp Oil

Cooking Directions

1. Before cooking the beans, you need to be string them, i.e., remove the fibre from the sides of the bean.
2. Once you are done, then wash it and chop into 2 inch long pieces.
3. Now heat oil in a pan ,add onion and chopped garlic and saute till onion turns to light pink colour.
4. Add chilly powder,turmeric powder and salt and saute again for few seconds.
5. Add chopped tomatoes and garam masala or kanda lasun masala ( this is special maharashtrian masala used in dals and vegetables).Mix it well.
6. Now add chopped gawar and stir it well,let the masala coat the beans.Fry for 2-3 minutes.Add a cup of water,cover it with a lid and cook for 10-15 minutes on low flame or till its done.
7. Serve hot with roti or chapati