Thursday, April 30, 2009

Spicy Green Beans with Sesame Seeds - Comfort food at its best!


Every once in a while, I crave for something that I've not eaten in a long time. It doesn't matter what it ends up to be - It could be a dish that mom makes, or a dish that I ate at my friend's place or something that I relished during a dinner at a restaurant. Sometimes, strangely it could even just bring back memories about my vacation somewhere! But once that craving is planted in me, it will ignite and will keep growing until I get that tang of it. Sometimes we end-up hunting for that restaurant that we visited long ago, or sometimes I cook it myself no matter how busy I am. Its that certain thing that sticks in my memory that I can't seem to forget when I crave for it. It may sound ridiculous, but any food lover's craving is very similar to what I said.

This is one such dish that I started having a craving for, since last week. I used to make it often a while back, but don't know why I suddenly discontinued! But after spotting fresh green beans often in my local grocery, I started longing for this spicy dish! I just couldn't resist picking some of them last weekend. How can I not? I had to hunt back for the recipe in my notes and finally made it today!

From a former green beans hater, to making many dishes nowadays with green beans is quite a significant progress for me. I was never fond of green beans. Call me unsophisticated, but I never liked its flavor and texture especially when in its crunchy. Back in India, the only recipe that I am familiar with green beans is the "poriyal". That according to me, in those days, was so bland and lethargic that it didn't attract me. So I lived in ignorance, unaware of the pleasure this vegetable offers when its made spicy! Now I am a convert. Spicy green beans is one of my favourites now. Especially when I make it this way with sesame seeds, its a pleasure to taste it! Pair it with Rice and sambar, its a fulfilling menu! Its interesting to me, the fact that, with just a little thought, and a touch here and there, a basic vegetable can become something exciting!

Ingredients:
  • Green Beans - chopped to 2 inch pieces - 3 cups
  • Onions - 1 medium
  • Garlic - 3 cloves
  • White or Black Sesame seeds - 1 tbsp
  • Chilli powder - 1 tsp
  • Garam masala - 1 tsp
  • Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
  • Sesame seeds - 1 tsp (for seasoning)
Procedure:
  • Boil the chopped green beans with salt until its 3/4 th cooked.
  • Dry roast the sesame seeds until they turn golden brown. Blend them together with chilli powder and salt to a fine powder. Set aside.
  • Heat oil in a pan, season with cumin seeds and sesame seeds.
  • Fry chopped onions and chopped garlic and saute for 3 mins.
  • Now add the cooked beans and increase the heat until the water completely evaporates.
  • Add the sesame seeds powder, mix well, cover and cook for 5 mins.
  • Once the beans are fully cooked, add the garam masala, saute for a couple of mins, or until the mixture is fully dry.
Serve hot with Rotis or Rice.

26 comments:

Indhu said...

OMG... that looks sooo yummy... I can so easily eat the entire bowl by myself :)
very interesting spice powder combination!

Cham said...

Me too not so attracted of porriyal but make it, this one has a nice twist!

chef and her kitchen said...

I love french beans..Its looking perfect in colour too after cooking..

Parita said...

Wow what a wonderful dish..best for rotis..nice click

Unknown said...

Looks soo inviting!

Uma said...

green beans and sesame seeds is a new combo for me. looks so spicy and yummy! :)

Unknown said...

Adding sesame seed is new to me.. Looks spicy & Yummy..

FH said...

Excellent looking Beans, love to have it with Chapatis! :)

Ramya Vijaykumar said...

Definitely comfort food, the dark green lushious color with sesame seeds are eyecatching and a feast too...

Anonymous said...

Looks delicious... I make beans regularly but never add sesame seeds to it... will try it next time...

Lavanya said...

I love anything with sesame powder..yours looking so yummy n flavorful!!

Gita Jaishankar said...

The dish looks so spicy and yummy...even I am also npot a big fan of the simple beans poriyal...I can prepare beans like this hereafter :)

Mahimaa's kitchen said...

nice subji sujatha.... i am gonna try ur radish curry soon.

Bhawna said...

I'm sure green beans tastes amazing with chapati. Yummy Pic and sesame seeds making it more interesting and different. Bookmarked

Pooja said...

That looks great..Never had beans with sesame seeds before. Spicy n yummy :)

ST said...

Very comfort food looks sooo inviting...

Anonymous said...

Hey,thats such a spicy version of beans..love to check..colorful presentation !!

Deepthi Shankar said...

That really does look comforting ..

Shreya said...

the pic is so appetizing..love the dish!

Deepa Hari said...

Looks spicy and yummy Sujata...love the addition of sesame seeds and garam masala.

A_and_N said...

This has been on my to try list for such a long time! Bookmarked.

Pavithra Kodical said...

Looks delicious and perfect with chapathi.

Laavanya said...

I make something similar.. ready in minutes and so delicious. I eat it plain most of the time. Looks yummy SUjatha

Pavithra Elangovan said...

Its looking so yummy and attracting with nice colour.. nice presentation

Nithya said...

Lovely dish and a lovely blog too. :) Your photography and presentation grabbed my eyes. Keep it going. I am total fresher to the kitchen and I find ur blog interesting. Do take a look at my blog when u find time. :)

ARUNA said...

looks very tempting!