Vaalichi Bhaaji - Yardlong beans

Vaali in Malvani means yardlong beans (it is called chawLi in Marathi). But please do not confuse it with VaaLi of Konkani which means chinese water spinach (or MayaLu in Marathi, Poi in Gujarati). Anyway, I saw some freshest yardlong beans at our farmers market.


By the way, I am planning to give a tribute to our Farmers market this week. and if I remember, next week, I am planning to dedicate my recipes to my kitchen garden. Let's see how that goes!



Vaalichi Bhaaji
Yardlong beans Stir Fry
Ingredients

1 bunch vaali/chawli/yardlong beans, chopped

1/2 cup kala vatana or kala chana sprouts

1/2 tbsp jaggery

salt to taste

Tempering

2 tsp oil (preferably coconut)

1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/4 tsp asafoetida

1 small onion, chopped approx = 1/2 cup

4-5 garlic cloves, peeled & smashed leaving each clove in tact

3-4 red chilies, halved

Garnish

1 tbsp - 1/4 cup fresh coconut

1/2 tsp black pepper powder

Method

1. Pressure cook chana or kala vatana. Set aside.

2. Steam chopped yard long beans. Set aside.

3. Heat oil in a saucepan or a wok. Add all the ingredients for tempering. Saute til onion is soft.

4. Now add yardlong beans, sprouts along with 1/4 cup cooking liquid.

5. Add salt, jaggery. Cook for 5 minutes.

6. Mix desired quantity of coconut (1 tbsp or 1/4 cup) with black pepper powder. Stir in the pot.

7. Simmer till the jaggery melts and the water is completely evaporated.

Note -

1. Instead of steaming the yardlong beans separately, you can add them in the saucepan after onion is soft. In that case, cover the lid with water and let it cook till beans are steamed and then proceed.