Simple beans curry / thoran

If you have been following my blog, you know by now that in my house, potatoes rule.  We have potatoes at least a couple of times a week.  On the other days though, I love to make some green vegetables.  Cabbage and beans are my favorite. 

Here is a simple beans curry recipe you can eat with rotis, rice and rasam or dal, or just by itself in a bowl. It has only a few ingredients, but has the makings of comfort food for me.

Here is what you need:

• ½ cup split moong dal, soaked in water for about ½ hour
• 2 tsp. oil
• 1 tsp. mustard seeds
• ½ tsp. channa dal
• 1 tsp. split urad dal
• 2 red chilies, broken
• 2 lbs. beans
• salt to taste
• ¼ tsp. turmeric
• coconut for garnish (optional)

 Here is how I made it:

1. Wash, string and cut the green beans.
2. Heat oil in a pan.  Add mustard seeds.  When they sputter, add red chilies, channa dal, and urad dal.
3. When the chilies turn color, drain the soaked moong dal and add it to the pan.  Add the cut green beans and about ½ cup of water.
4. Cover and cook on medium – low heat for about 10 minutes till the beans are cooked.
5. Add turmeric and salt.  Mix well and let it cook uncovered for a few minutes.
6. Turn off the heat and add the coconut (if you are using).  Mix well.

Serve with rice and rasam, or with rotis.