MyMusingsSangSpeak -Pet Puja- Gavarichi Bhaji, Guar Subji, Cluster Beans Vegetable

MyMusingsSangSpeak -Pet Puja- Gavarichi Bhaji, Guar Subji,

Cluster Beans Vegetable

Cluster Bean is a highly nutritious vegetable. It is very tasty and can be prepared in many ways. There are two types of Guar/Cluster beans available, one is the native (desi) variety and the other is hybrid. The desi/native variety is more tasty but rarely available. It is a much loved Maharashtrian dish. The seeds of Guar bean give out Guar Gum on extraction and this is a highly priced commodity in food and other commercial industries.

During our childhood, we used the inner green parts of the Guar seed as tattoos to beautify our faces. My mother associated this vegetable to her childhood days of Aamras lunches with mango puree, chapati and this simple Gavar vegetable.

The tender Guar beans can be stir fried in oil and sprinkled with little salt and consumed as a tasty snack. The beans can be made into a simple bhaji by stir frying with onions. One may add potatoes also for variation. Another way to prepare the beans is to make a curry. I am sharing a recipe using roasted groundnut powder and you are sure to like it.

Ingredients

Guar beans -250 gms

Onions - 2-3 medium sized

Oil -2-3 tablespoons

Roasted Groundnut Powder -2 tablespoons

Salt -To taste

Turmeric Powder - 1/2 teaspoon

Mustard seeds -1/2 teaspoon

Water- Half cup

Kanda Lasun(Onion Garlic) Masala - 1 teaspoon

Fresh Coriander leaves- 4-5 sprigs

Method

Clean the beans by removing the tough stalks from both ends and break them into cm long pieces. Slice the onions lengthwise. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds, add onions and stir fry till slightly brown. Add the Guar beans along with turmeric and salt. Stir well, add half a cup of water and cover. Allow to cook for about 7-10 minutes.

Add kanda lasun masala and stir. Add roasted groundnut powder and stir well. Finally add coriander leaves and serve. Enjoy the Guar bhaji as accompaniment with roti/chapati or daal rice.

Note - Preparation and cooking time is about half hour and this quantity will suffice 3-4 persons.