Crispy Green Beans with Spiced Lentil Crumble
Crispy Green Beans with Spiced Lentil Crumble is a vibrant and flavorful Indian dish that harmoniously blends the crunch of fresh green beans with a fragrant and textured crumbled lentil cake. The key to this recipe lies in the use of fresh curry leaves, which impart a unique aroma that's quintessential to South Indian cuisine. The lentil cake, made from toor dal and red chilies, is steamed to perfection and then crumbled, adding a delightful depth to the beans. This dish can be a hearty side or a fulfilling main when paired with rice or roti. Prepare the lentil cake ahead of time for an effortless meal, and get ready to enjoy an explosion of flavors in every bite!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
green beans
1 lb (chopped)
curry leaves
1/2 cup (fresh)
mustard seeds
1/4 teaspoon (whole)
sesame oil
1/3 cup (or any other oil)
toor dal
1 cup (or split yellow lentils, soaked)
red chilies
5-6 (dried)
asafoetida powder
1/2 teaspoon (optional)
turmeric powder
1/4 teaspoon
water
3 cups (hot)
Instructions
1
Start by preparing the lentil cake (usili). Soak the toor dal in hot water for 20 minutes to soften.
2
After soaking, drain the dal and transfer it to a blender. Add red chilies, asafoetida (if using), turmeric powder, and a pinch of salt. Blend into a coarse paste, adding small amounts of water as needed for consistency.
3
Place the lentil paste in a heatproof bowl and set it into a larger pot or rice cooker containing water up to the halfway mark of the bowl. Cover and steam for approximately 20 minutes, ensuring the water does not run dry. The lentil cake is ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
4
Once cooked, remove from heat and let it cool completely. After cooling, crumble the lentil cake into small pieces.
5
While the lentil cake cools, prepare the green beans. Chop the green beans into small, uniform pieces.
6
In a saucepan, bring 1 cup of salted water to a boil. Add chopped beans and cook until they turn light green, about 2-3 minutes.
7
Cover the saucepan and simmer the beans for an additional 5-7 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside.
8
In a large skillet, heat the sesame oil over medium heat. Add mustard seeds and cook until they begin to pop and turn grey.
9
Once the mustard seeds have popped, add the crumbled lentil cake and fresh curry leaves to the skillet. Stir well and cook for 3-4 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
10
Finally, add the cooked green beans to the skillet. Gently stir to combine, cooking a few more minutes until the beans are well-coated and flavors are infused. Adjust seasoning to taste, and serve hot.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Crispy Green Beans with Spiced Lentil Crumble?
It is a vibrant Indian dish that blends fresh green beans with a textured, spiced lentil cake known as usili.
What are the primary ingredients for the lentil crumble?
The crumble is made from toor dal, dried red chilies, asafoetida, turmeric powder, and salt.
How long should I soak the toor dal?
The toor dal should be soaked in hot water for 20 minutes to soften before blending.
Can I substitute toor dal with another lentil?
Yes, you can use split yellow lentils as a substitute for toor dal.
How is the lentil cake cooked?
The lentil paste is steamed in a heatproof bowl for approximately 20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
How do I prepare the green beans?
Chop the beans into small uniform pieces, boil them for 2-3 minutes, and then simmer for 5-7 minutes until tender.
What type of oil is recommended for this recipe?
Sesame oil is recommended for its flavor, though any other cooking oil can be used.
Are curry leaves necessary for this dish?
Fresh curry leaves are highly recommended as they impart a unique aroma quintessential to South Indian cuisine.
How do I know when the mustard seeds are ready?
Cook the mustard seeds in hot oil until they begin to pop and turn grey.
Is this recipe suitable for vegans?
Yes, the recipe uses plant-based ingredients like lentils, beans, and oil, making it vegan-friendly.
Is the dish gluten-free?
It is naturally gluten-free, provided your asafoetida powder does not contain wheat fillers.
How many red chilies are used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 5-6 dried red chilies to be blended into the lentil paste.
What is the role of asafoetida in this recipe?
Asafoetida provides a savory depth to the lentils, though it is listed as an optional ingredient.
Can I make the lentil cake in advance?
Yes, preparing the lentil cake ahead of time can make the final meal assembly effortless.
What is the best way to serve this dish?
It can be served as a hearty side dish or as a main course when paired with rice or roti.
Should the lentil cake be hot when I crumble it?
No, let the lentil cake cool completely before crumbling it into small pieces.
How much water is needed to boil the green beans?
Use approximately 1 cup of salted water to boil and simmer the chopped green beans.
What texture should the lentil paste be?
The dal should be blended into a coarse paste, adding only small amounts of water as needed.
Is this dish considered spicy?
With 5-6 red chilies, the dish has a spicy profile, but you can adjust the chili count to your preference.
What region does this recipe represent?
This dish is a staple of South Indian cuisine, characterized by the use of curry leaves and toor dal.
Can I use frozen green beans instead of fresh?
While fresh beans are preferred for the best texture, frozen beans can be used if drained well.
How long does the entire cooking process take?
Including soaking and steaming, the process takes roughly 50 to 60 minutes.
What is the purpose of the turmeric powder?
Turmeric adds a vibrant yellow color and a subtle earthy flavor to the lentil crumble.
How do I combine the beans and lentils?
Add the cooked beans to the skillet with the sautéed lentil crumble and stir for a few minutes until coated.
Does this dish contain cholesterol?
Based on the plant-based ingredients provided, the dish is naturally cholesterol-free.
How much curry leaves are needed?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of fresh curry leaves.
Can I add other spices to the crumble?
The recipe is optimized for these specific spices, but you can adjust seasoning to your personal taste.
Is this a healthy recipe?
Yes, it is a healthy, high-protein, and fiber-rich vegetarian dish.
How do I prevent the lentil cake from being too wet?
Ensure you drain the dal thoroughly after soaking and add water sparingly during blending.
What should I do if the mustard seeds don't pop?
Ensure the oil is sufficiently hot before adding them; they should pop almost immediately.