AVARAKKAI THORAN / PORIYAL

Cheeni avarakkai is also known as ‘Guar’ or ‘cluster beans’ or ‘kothavarai’ (in Tamil).  Avarakkai is a protein and fiber rich vegetable.  This is a good vegetable for diabetic patients. Today, we are going to prepare a ‘thoran’ or ‘poriyal’ with coconut (in Kerala style)…

Ingredients:

1.     Avarakkai ------------------------------------ 250gm (finely chopped)

2.     Shallots / small onion ---------------------- 10 numbers (finely chopped)

3.     Splitted urad dal (uzhunnuparippu)---- 1 table spoon (optional)

4.     Green chilli ---------------------------------- 2 numbers

5.     Ginger --------------------------------------- 1 teaspoon (finely chopped)

6.     Curry leaves -------------------------------- 1 spring

7.     Coconut ------------------------------------ ½ cup (grated)

8.     Mustard ------------------------------------ 1 teaspoon

9.     Turmeric powder ------------------------- ½ teaspoon

     10.Water --------------------------------- ----as needed

     11.Oil ------------------------------------------ 2 teaspoon

12. Salt ------------------------------------ to taste

Preparation:

1.     In mixi, mix grated coconut with turmeric powder and keep it aside

2.     Heat the pan and add oil

3.     Add mustard and allow it to splutter

4.     Add splitted urad dal / uzhunnu parippu (optional) and allow it to change its colour lightly to brown

5.     Add curry leaves and chopped shallots (small onion) and stir well, until it will become translucent

6.     Add ginger and stir well

7.     Add the mixer (coconut and turmeric powder) and stir well for two minutes

8.     Add avarakkai and salt, and stir well for one minute

9.     Add water to cover the ingredients and stir well, allow it to boil

10.Adjust the salt according to the taste and cover the pan with lid

11. Reduce the flame into low and allow it to cook well

12. Avarakkai thoran is ready and have it with rice as side dish