“French Beans~Potato Bhaji / Beans~Batate Upkari” … A simple side dish that tastes great when served with other dishes in thali or roti too … Healthy too as oil is added sparingly as seasoning only … Yumz …
** French Beans or Beans upkari (bhaji) is a stir fried dish that is simple and prepared almost in every Konkani homes. It is served as a side dish with other dishes in thali either during lunch or dinner. I have already posted the upkari wherein only french beans were used in preparation of the bhaji. Traditionally it was prepared in that manner only but sometimes if there is a shortage in beans and you want to finish it off you can always add in other veggies like potato or carrot and prepare the same in similar pattern. This time I prepared it with addition of potatoes, while the other two ie. one with only plain french beans and the other with carrots have been posted long back. Will be sharing the link to the same at the bottom of this recipe, so that you can check up on the same.
** I will not run into much details about the french beans as all are familiar with this vegetable. However I must mention here that over the years and with changing of times now different types of french beans are available in the market, some are a little bit flat in shape with the length of about 8-10 inches. These are not so tender and the sides have to be stringed and then cut into pieces while using for bhaji. The other ones which is most sought after is dark greener and rounder in shape while the length is about the same. There is hardly the need to string these are they are very fresh and tender and tastes the best. Again there is a foot or so long ones which are tender and slimmer. They too are tasty and are at times only in the market. Whichever you use the recipe remains the same.
** Here is the simple healthy recipe of “French Beans~Potato Bhaji / Beans~Batate Upkari” …. My Style .....
** Trim off the edges of about 200 gms of french beans, string them if necessary and cut them into rings of about ¼ inch in thickness. Peel of the skin with a peeler one large sized potato and cut them into small sized cubes. Wash both beans and potatoes in water and keep them ready aside after draining off excess water.
** In a thick bottomed kadai / pan add in 1 tblsp of oil, when hot add in ½ tsp of mustard seeds and when they begin to splutter, lower the heat and add in 3-4 red chillies cut into pieces, a few curry leaves and stir for a second. Now add in the cut french beans and mix well. Sprinkle some water, cover with a tight lid and cook on low flame for about 5-7 minutes.
** Note : The number of chillies depends upon individual taste. You can increase or decrease the same as per your family liking. I used kashmiri red chillies so added in 4 of them. This is a medium spicy bhaji, so keep that in mind and add in accordingly.
** Now open the lid and add in salt to taste, mix and then add in the potatoes, again sprinkle some water, cover and cook on low heat till done. Do check in between and stri once or twice for even cooking and if need be sprinkle some water too. Once the beans and potatoes are cooked add in a tablespoon of freshly grated coconut, mix well, remove from fire and keep this covered aside till serving time.
** Note : The beans take slightly longer time in cooking than the potatoes, so I do not add them together or else the poatoes will get cooked and the beans will remain slightly under cooked. If you continue cooking then the changes of potatoes getting mashed become higher so always first add in the beans cook till about 50% done and then add in the potatoes.
** “French Beans~Potato Bhaji / Beans~Batate Upkari” is done and ready to be served with other dishes during lunch/dinner time. This is a very healthy upkari/bhaji, so do include the same into your meals and enjoy them with your family and friends.
** You may go through the links given below for upkari prepared with beans and try out the same for some variations, there are many more dishes with beans which you can go through using search option …..
** An Earnest Request : 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. I have also started a food group for by the name "KONKANI DELICACIES" where in you will find many more recipes by members and you too can share some of your own. The link to the group is posted on the left side of the blog page. Do join us in our culinary journey. I strongly believe in Sharing and always endorse that "Sharing Is Caring" … Thank You ….
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