AVAREKALU USLI

 AVAREKALU USLI

This is the season for Avarekayi in Namma Bengaluru. Avarekayi, called Hyacinth Beans or Lima Beans in English, is now available in plenty. There are so many dishes you can make with this versatile veggie. The avarekayi beans are peeled to give you the inner "avarekalu" which we use for cooking. 

Elsewhere in the blog, you will find different dishes made with Avarekalu, such as:-

• Avarekalu Saaru
• Avarekalu Paddu
• Jeev Avare Ghashi
• Avarekalu Menthya Akki Rotti

Today's recipe is for a popular dish in my Home State of Karnataka. It is called, "Avarekalu Usli" and is served as a side dish with the main meal.

In my experience 1 kg of avarekayi yields about 3 cups of avarekalu.

Do try out this easy to make yet so yummy dish ! I am sure you will love it! 

Ingredients:-

• Avarekalu, (Peeled Avarekayi/ Hyacinth Beans)  1 and 1/2 cups
• Mustard Seeds, 3/4 tsp
• Cumin Seeds, 3/4 tsp
• Red Chilli, broken into halves, 1
• Curry Leaves, a sprig
• Asafoetida (Hing), 1/4 tsp
• Turmeric Powder, 1/4 tsp
• Medium-sized Onion, chopped, 1
• Lemon Juice, 1 and 1/2 tsp
• Salt, to taste
• Oil, 1 tbsp

To Be Ground To A Paste;-

• Fresh Coconut Gratings, 1/2 cup
• Green Chillies, 3
• Ginger, 1/2 " piece
• Coriander Leaves, finely chopped, 1/4 cup

Method:-

Peel the avarekayi and wash the avarekalu

Add the required water in the pressure cooker, add a bit of salt and cook the avarekalu for about 3-4 whistles till they are fully cooked

Once the cooker is cool enough to handle, discard the excess water and keep the cooked avarekalu aside

Grind together coconut gratings, ginger, green chillies and coriander leaves in a small mixer jar

Add the required water and grind to form a smooth paste. Keep aside 

In a thick-bottomed kadhai, heat 1 tbsp of oil and on medium heat add the mustard seeds

When they splutter add the cumin seeds and when they sizzle add the broken red chillies and curry leaves

Saute for a few seconds

To this add the asafoetida, turmeric powder and the chopped onion, and fry till the onions become translucent

Now add the cooked avarekalu and salt to taste and mix well

Next add the prepared ground paste, mix well and cook on medium/low heat till the avarekalu gets well blended with the masala

Switch off the gas, sprinkle the lemon juice and mix again 

Transfer the Avarekalu Usli to a serving bowl

Serve as a side dish with rice or chapatis