I am a big, big fan of double beans in the dried form. Recently, I spotted fresh double beans (also called sem or lima beans) at the Jayanagar market, and couldn’t resist picking up some. I used them to make this beautiful pressure-cooker curry to go with rotis, for lunch today.
The curry tastes absolutely delectable, if I may say so myself. I made it in a pressure cooker, something I often do with curries, a super-duper easy way to cook stuff. And.. the best part? The curry used just 1 teaspoon of oil in all its entirety!
Let’s check out the recipe now, shall we?
Ingredients (makes 4-5 servings):
- 3/4 of a medium-sized serving bowl fresh double beans (aka lima beans or sem)
- 2 medium-sized tomatoes
- 1 medium-sized onion
- 1 teaspoon oil
- 2 generous pinches of asafoetida (hing)
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin (jeera)
- Salt, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- Red chilli powder, to taste
- Sugar, to taste
- 2 teaspoons chana masala, or to taste
- A few fresh coriander leaves, to garnish
Method:
- Wash the double beans thoroughly under running water. Place in a colander, and let all the excess water drain out.
- Chop the tomatoes into large pieces. Puree in a mixer. Keep aside.
- Finely chop the onions and coriander leaves. Keep aside.
- Heat the oil in a 3-litre pressure cooker bottom. Add in the mustard seeds, and let them sputter. Add the asafoetida and cumin seeds, and let them stay in for a couple of seconds.
- Add the chopped onions. Saute on low flame till they begin to turn brownish.
- Now, add the tomato puree, along with salt and red chilli powder to taste, as well as the sugar and turmeric powder. Mix well. Cook on low-medium flame for a minute or so.
- Add in the washed and drained double beans, along with the chana masala.
- Add about 1 cup water. Mix well.
- Close the pressure cooker and put the whistle on. Turn the flame to high. Let the curry cook for 4-5 minutes on high flame. Let the pressure come down naturally.
- Once all the pressure has come down, add in the finely chopped fresh coriander. Mix well.
- Serve hot with rotis.
Notes:
- Garam masala or pavbhaji masala can be used in place of chana masala.
- Omit the sugar if you don’t like a hint of sweetness in your curry.
- You could add a dash of lemon juice to the curry after preparation, too.
- After preparation, if you think the curry is too thick, you could add some water, adjust spices and salt, and let it simmer on low-medium flame for a few minutes.
- A tablespoon of thick curd added to the curry (while adding the tomato puree) will improve the taste drastically. You could add a dollop of fresh cream, instead, as well.
- If you are afraid of burning, you could add slightly more water to the curry. Post cooking, you could simmer the curry on low-medium flame to make it thicker.
- If fresh double beans aren’t available where you stay, you can use dried ones to make a similar curry. Just soak the dried double beans in water overnight, discard the water in the morning, pressure cook them for 4 whistles in just enough water to soak them, and then proceed with the above recipe.
- If you want, ginger-garlic paste can be added in the curry, while adding the onions.
- You could even add in a 1-inch piece of cinnamon, a few cloves, cardamom and a couple of bay leaves, to make the curry more flavourful. If using, add these in along with the chopped onions.
*******************
This post is for the Foodie Monday Blog Hop. The theme for this week is ‘Recipes with just 1 teaspoon oil’.
Love Lima beans curry..we make it with peanut powder..your version sounds great. Will give it a try next time I get hold of these beans here
@Poonampagar
Thank you! Please share your recipe too. Would love to try it out. π
Beans are such a great way for vegetarians to incorporate protein into their diet. Loved the recipe!
@Aruna
Thank you so much! π
Beans curry looks so tempting. A healthy protein rich dish. Loved it.
@Batter Up With Sujata
Thank you! π
Tasty curry Priya!Must taste delicious with rice and rotis!
@Amrita
It surely did! π
I didn’t know these beans are called double beans. Have used them in Bangalore whenever the sabji wala brings it. He speaks only Kannada and I don’t understand it! Super easy curry in a a jiffy and that too with 1 tsp oil.
@Mayuri Patel
Thank you! Glad you liked the post. These beans are the same as Gujarati vaal. π
Double beans curry looks tempting!! Love the pressure cooker recipes as it is easy to make on hectic days.
@Preethip
Thank you! I love pressure cooker curries, too! π
Interesting…:)
@kritisinghal2403
Thank you!
Pressure cooker is a boon and this subzi is very delicious!!!
@Veena Krishnakumar
Thank you! I love pressure cooker recipes, too! π