Cluster Beans Curry Recipe / Gavar Phalli ki Sabji

Cluster bean also known as Gawar ki phalli is higly nutritious and very healthy for our body. It should be included in our diet as it is beneficial for cardio health, great for diabetes , make bone strong, help in better blood circulation, good during pregnancy and manage blood pressure.

Cluster beans can be easily cooked as a curry which goes well as a side dish with chapati or rice. There are slight variations in the cooking method in different parts of India. It is paired with potato and a curry with tomato base is prepared in Gujarati style. Today i am sharing the Maharashtrian style of cooking the cluster beans curry.

The recipe for Gavar chi bhaji as called in Marathi , calls for use of roasted peanut powder which gives a nice nutty flavour and desired thickness to the curry. This is my mum's onion garlic free recipe and requires minimal ingredients .

Ingredients:

250 grams Cluster beans / Gavar phalli
2 tbsp roasted Peanut powder
3-4 tbsp milk
1/4 tsp Carom seeds / Ajwain
Pinch of Asafoetida / Hing
1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
1 -2 tsp Red chilly powder ( depending upon the desired spice level)
2 tbsp oil
salt to taste

Method:

Choose tender cluster beans for the recipe. Trim the top and bottom part of the beans and break the bean to 2-3 inch pieces using hand. Mature beans are a bit hard and fibrous and need the removal of fibrous thread (stringing). Wash the beans thoroughly under running water.

2. In a pan, heat the oil on a medium flame. Add Carom seeds. Once they sizzle, add Asafoetida , roasted peanut powder followed by turmeric and red chilly powder. Lower the heat while adding the spices or put off the flame to avoid burning of spice powders.

3. Now add the cluster beans and mix well. Add milk and give a quick stir. Addition of milk is optional but it gives a nice creamy texture to the curry.

4. Now add around 1 cup hot water water or more depending upon the consistency we wish to keep. Add salt and cover cook the curry for 5-7 minutes or until the beans are cooked. Keep stirring in between and check if more water is needed to cook the curry.