French Bean foogath

Any vegetable, steamed in its juices, with coconut is called foogath. The ingredients are very few. It is light and mildly flavoured.  I love this dish for its simplicity.  I have used French beans. I prefer my vegetables cut fine and crunchy. 

Credit: Hilda Mascarenhas

Collect it:

·           250 gms fresh tender French Beans

·           1 medium Onion, finely chopped

·           2 sprigs fresh Curry Leaves/Kadi Patta

·           2 fresh Green Chillies, finely minced

·           4 tsp. Mustard Seeds (optional)

·           1/2 cup fresh Coconut, grated

·           3 tbsps. Vegetable Oil/Coconut Oil (I used Vegetable oil and just 1 tbsp)

·           A pinch of Sugar

·           Salt to taste

Make it:

Wash the French Beans & drain thoroughly.  De-string the beans & French cut them.

Heat oil in a non-stick kadhai/wok/pan and add mustard seeds.  When the seeds crackle, add the onions and green chillies. Sauté till translucent.

Then add curry leaves, a pinch of sugar and French beans. Sauté briefly for a minute. Cover the kadhai/wok/pan with a lid which can hold water.

Pour 4 cup of water on the lid & let it cook on simmer.

Every 2-3 minutes, remove the lid carefully & stir the beans & again cover with the lid.

Cook to retain crunch & colour. (Do not overcook).

Finally add the coconut & salt to taste.

Stir well & let it cook for another minute,

Serve hot with phulkas/rotis/rice.