Kothavarakka/Cluster beans /Gawar Beans/Kothavarakkai/Mattikayalu/Goruchikudkaya -Thoran/poriyal/stirfry

This is the Cluster bean.Its known as Kothavarakka (Malayalam),

Gawar beans(hindi),Kothavarakkai(tamil), Mattikayalu/Goruchikudkaya(Telugu).Somewhere in kerala its known as Amara Payar or Amarakka.

In our place We are used this vegettable for preparing thoran ,Sambar and Aviyal...It has a very unique taste and also good side dish for rice....Usually in Kerala we used to buy it from our vegettable market and also we can easily grow it in our vegettable garden.Here in US, we can find it in only Indian Grocery shop.The frozen version is also available.Better to go with the fresh one.

This is a favourite one for us, so its a common in our menu. Here i am going to explain how to prepare the Kothamarakka thoran/Poriyal..

Cost of this will be less than a dollar/pound.

Cooking time 15 minutes.

 

Ingredients:

For Cooking :

Kothavarakka /cluster beans-250 gm

Coconut -  1/4 cup

Turmeric Powder-1/4 tsp

Garlic- 1 pod

Green chili- 2to 3 nos

Salt - to taste

Onion/Pearl Onion -1/2 Portion/ 8 nos

For Seasoning :

Mustard seeds: 1 tsp

Red chilly :2 nos

Curry leaves : 4 leaves

Preparation

Step 1:  

• First trim the tips off the Kothavarakka  before cutting then make into small thin Pieces, as shown in figure.
• Cut the onions into small pieces (square shape).If you are using pearl onion make them into small cross-sectional slices 
• Cut the Green chilly into small pieces or slice them into 2,3 pieces.Adding green chilly give more taste as well as hot.

 

Step 2:

• Heat the pan add the cut cluster bean,green chili 
• sprinkle 2 tbsp of water then close the pan with a lid for about 5 minute.Don't use high heat ,it should be in medium level.

Step 3:

• Add the onions and stir well.Just cook that for 2 minutes.No need to add the water.with the onion's moisture is more enough to cook it nicely.

Step 4: 

• Add the coconut and crushed garlic into the cooked bean,stir well then cook for 2 minute in medium heat. Don't forget to close it with a lid.
  

 

Step 5: 

• In another pan,Add the oil once its get heated add the mustard seed after spluttering the mustard seed redchilli and curry leaves.
• Finally add the Cooked content into this  and stir ...The Delicious Kothamarakka thoran is ready to eat...

Try it today ....You will love this......

Points to ponder:

• Cut the bean into thin pieces.
• Don't add more water.In between check the thoran.Once it cooked the fresh greenish color will change to slight yelloyish color.
• If u don't like the garlic taste no need to add that....If u add, it will make  good smell as well as good for  digestion 
• If u need more spicy dish increase the number of green chillies.

Kovakkai/Tindora Mezhukkupiratti/Fry-Simple and easy dish for Rice

Tindora is also known as Tondli , kovakkai,kovakka, dondakaya ivy gourd or little gourd, is a tropical vine grown for its small edible fruits. They may be eaten immature and green, or mature and deep red.





This Tindora/kovakkai you can find in almost all Indian stores /Chinese stores.Also the frozen version is available but better to go with fresh one..If u have no other curries for rice and u have kovakkai at ur refrigerator go and try this simple recipe...Its easy and delicious..

This is one of our favorite dish.My husband used to say if we have kovakkai mezhukkupiratty we don't need any other curries.In our place we grow kovakka in our kitchen garden


Ingredients :
Kovakkai - 250gm
Turmeric Powder - 1/2 teaspoon
Salt - 1/2 teaspoon
Onion/Pearl onion - one/1o numbers
Red Chilly - 3 nos
Curry leaves - 5 0r 6 leaves
Oil - 1 table spoon
Water - just sprinkle

Preparation :

Step 1:First trim the tips off the kovakkai before cutting then make into small slices,if u like make that slices into small as shown in figure

Step 2: sprinkle the water ,Turmeric Powder and the red chilli into the cut kovakka then cook for 5 minutes(check the tenderness).Don't forget to cover the pan with a lid.



Step3: Add the onion into the cooked kovakka and then heat for a while...then add the oil then fry for a while .Add the curryleaves also...Don't forget to sim the flame/low heat

Step 4: After 3-4 minute u can turnoff the heat and the delicious Kovakkai Mizhukkupiratti will be ready... Have it with rice.

Points to ponder
1.Try to cut the kovakkai into similar shape.
2.Don't add excess water.It will overcook the kovakkai.
3.Add green chillies if u need to make it more spicy.