Koththavarangai - Cluster Beans Usili

Koththavarangai Usili – Ooty Beans usili

I always wonder the gifts of mother earth in recognition of good work for the benefit of mankind. One such gift is the cluster beans. You sow one seed in mother earth and reap a cluster from mother earth.  Whenever I visit a grocery shop , my attention is instantaneously drawn towards the cluster bean for which we should always be grateful to God. Just have a look at the formation of the cluster from a single stem and you can almost converse with Mother Nature in her beauty and  rich legacy of the plants. By now you could have guessed my favourite green vegetables. They are Cluster beans and Ooty Beans.

Cluster Beans – the wonder vegetable . Have a nice look at the formation from a single stem and  you will be lost in the world of Mother Nature. Each cluster will have a story to tell.	Always look for healthy clusters free from black spots and bulging seeds. If you hold it between fingers, you should feel the softness and freshness.	Ooty beans is very much akin to the cluster beans and the cooking method is common for both. You can try both the dishes from the same ingredients and same recipe.	To cut the ends , I use a garden pruning scissors. It is safe and is comfortable as it has the spring force to move the jaws backwards. You can get it for Rs 80 in department stores under gardening tools.	Always get used to the method of proper measurements till you establish your confidence level. I am using ¼ cup of Tuvar Dahl and ¼ cup of Chena Dahl for this recipe by measurements.
Cut Cluster Beans into very very small pieces . Mix one teaspoon of Red chilli poweder, turmeric, curry leaves and salt , just for cooking only the cluster beans.	For the Usili part soak chena dahl and tuvar dahl for 2 hours before starting. Cut onions into small pieces. Filter the water from soaked dahl. Add all the ingredients in a mixie. Add  Asafoetida and salt for better taste. With minimum water grind them into a paste in a mixie. . Tips: Use fine filter for removing excess water and also by pressing. You can use the filtered  usili water  with rasam.	Sautéing The addition of grated coconuts and coriander leaves add to the taste , make the dish appealing to the eyes. I prefer to use the Extra Virgin Olive Oil mixed with  Sundrop- Sunflower oil in the ratio 1:3.  Olive oil 300 ml and Sundrop- Sunflower oil  1 litre.	Uncooked Beans and Usli    The Finely cut beans and  the ground usli mix are to be free from water. Use the fine filter for removing excess water and also by pressing the top gently with  fingers. The Beans Usli will be very good if the beans are cut into very fine pieces.	Cooking the Usili  Use the Colander to prevent steam from depositing into the usili. This step is very important. Otherwise the Usili will become soggy. Steam cook for 10 minutes with weight and  spare a good 15 minutes for the Usili to cool down. The steaming can be done together with Cluster Beans in another Colander. Practice this. You will enjoy
Steam cook Cluster Beans Transfer the cut beans with all masala  to another Colander, mix and close with the perforated lid. Keep this as the first layer and the Usili Mix as the second layer. The Colanders will stack nicely with Lids on. Steam cook for 10 minutes with weight and  spare a good 15 minutes for the Cluster Beans and Usili to cool down.	Cluster Bean- Usili  Pour 2 tea spoon of cooking oil into the pan. For Sautéing use Jeera, Udad dahl, chena dahl , curry leaves. Using fingers break the Usili Mix into small pieces and avoiding lumps. Transfer the cut beans and Usili mix into the Kadai and mix the ingredients very well without putting any pressure under low fire. Top up the mix with Coriander leaves and grated coconut.	Cookie Moulds The cookie moulds can be used for shaping the Cluster Beans-Usili mix applying a small amount of oil inside the mould for easy removal . The children and the old alike will like this moulded mix. You can enjoy this alone or in any way of your choice. The fineness of the cut beans will help now.	Colander  Use of Colander keeps the contents free from water with amazing clarity. They are coming with lids and are stackable , a very important requirement for steam cooking. Better to experience the benefits. Available for Rs 120-150 in department stores. Buy minimum 3 sets of the same size.	About the Author  Left click on any image and you can see enlarged images of this post.

Ingredients
Cluster Beans		Usili		Sauteing
Cluster Beans	200 gms	Tuvar Dahl	1/4 cup	Cooking oil	2 teaspoon
Curry Leaves	8 to 10	Chena Dahl	1/4 cup	Udad Dahl Round	10 to 15 nos
Red Chilli Powder	2 tea spoon	Red Chillie dried	8 to 9 pieces	Chena Dahl	10 t0 15 nos
Salt	to taste	Grated Coconut	2 table spoon	Curry leaves	10 to 12
		Asafoetida	to taste	Grated coconut	2 table spoon
		Coriander leaves	finely chopped	Asafoetida	to taste
		Cooking oil	2 table spoon	Salt	to taste
		Salt	to taste

I am interested to know more about your blogs and posts.

With best wishes Rangarajan Ramaswamy Bangalore 07.07.2013