Monday, April 22, 2019

White Kidney Bean Usli (Upkari/Bhaji).


"White Kidney Bean Usli (Upkari/Bhaji)" ... a delicious protien filled side dish that goes well with dal-chawal or even Roti/Chapati, but personally I love these best when served with puffed poories ... Yumz … 

** White kidney beans are large beans that multiply almost three times when soaked and used. This is a lovely buttery tasting bean that somehow imparts a sweetish taste that children and elders both love. We konkani Saraswats usually prepare hummana a curry based dish with hing/asafoetida tempering with coconut oil which in some places is also known as bendi/bhendi. The curry is medium spiced and tasty and is prepared during many festivals or functions as it is also easy to cook. I have already posted the same before in curry form with addition of bimbul (tree sorrel) and also bamboo shoots etc. I am sharing a few links at the bottom of this recipe and you may go through the same if you want to prepare this bean in curry form too. Try it, it’s a lovely, tasty curry that goes well when served with rice. I am not going to write anything more about this bean, except that the same can be cooked in a simple bhaji/upkari style too, just like other pulses. Many a times considering such recipes as simple one’s I do not include them in blog, but it has recently come to my notice that many are not aware and are in awe when we tell them so. So henceforth, I have decided to include the simplest out of simple dishes in the blog so that those who do not want to include much of coconut based curry dishes for health reason to their diet, can still enjoy these beans in simple forms. 

** Here is the simple method of preparing this delicious "White Kidney Bean Usli (Upkari/Bhaji)" ... My style … 

** Wash and soak about 100 to 150 gms of white kidney bean in plenty of water for 8 hours or overnight. This is one bean that when soaked well gets multiplied almost thrice in size. Once again wash the same and put it in a pressure cooker and add in water about the level of about an inch over the level of bean and pressure cook on medium heat to 3-4 whistles. 

** Let the pressure in the cooker fall on its own, once it has cooled down and you are able to open the lid, do so and allow the steam to pass away. Keep this ready aside. If you find that the beans have not been cooked perfectly, you can put it back on heat and pressure cook it for one more whistle. The cooking of the bean actually differs on the period of the same stocked up/stored. 

** For preparing the Usli (Upkari/Bhaji) : Heat 1 tbslp of oil in a thick bottomed kadai, when hot lower the heat and add in 1 tsp of mustard seeds (rai/sasam), when they begin to splutter, add in 5-7 dried red chillies cut into pieces along with 10-12 curry leaves and ½ - 1 tsp of hing (asafoetida) powder and fry for a few seconds. 

** Now add in the cooked white kidney Bean along with the remaining water in it, add salt to taste and mix well. Cook on high heat if the water content is more or on low heat if less. Once the water gets almost over and done with, lower the heat to minimum and add in 2-3 tblsp of freshly grated coconut and mix well. Cover and cook on low heat for 5 minutes and then remove and keep it aside. 

** "White Kidney Bean Usli (Upkari/Bhaji)" is done and ready to be served. Serve this a an side dish / accompaniment along with rice-dal and other dishes or you can serve it with roti / paratha too. I served it as side dish in thali, but had a little bit leftover the next day so relished it with poori and it tasted simply heavenly. I think if you love poori or if you want your kids to enjoy this usli, serve them with poori, it is a fantastic combo which with minute changes I will post soon. 

** I am sharing below a few links to the dishes wherein I have used “White Kidney Bean”, you may go through the link for the recipe and try out the same too. There are many more recipes of different types in the blog. For all my Recipes, use the search option or the label section in the Blog. If you are still not able to find it or have a query, please leave a message in comment section or mail me the same. I will try my best to get back to you as soon as possible. Do try out various types of dishes included in the Blog and Enjoy them with your family and friends and do give me a feedback if possible. 

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