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Payar mezhukkupuratti
Stir-fried long beans
പയർ മെഴുക്കുപുരട്ടി: long beans tossed in coconut oil with shallots, garlic and crushed red chilli
The name says it all: mezhukku means oil and puratti means smeared, so this is a dry stir-fry that leaves every bean slick and shiny with coconut oil. Vanpayar, the yard-long beans that climb over every Kerala garden fence, are cut short and cooked with crushed shallots, garlic and dried chilli flakes until tender and blistered in places. It is weekday food in Kottayam and Alappuzha homes, packed into tiffin with rice and moru curry, and it turns up on festive spreads too. The taste is simple, smoky and savoury, with crunch from the shallots. Serve with matta rice and a thin curry. The common mistake is covering the pan for too long, which steams the beans grey and soft; cover briefly, then finish uncovered so they roast. Chef's tip: crush the shallots, garlic and chilli together in a mortar rather than slicing them; the rough paste clings to the beans much better.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 10 ½ oz long beans (vanpayar)cut into 3 cm pieces
- 8 shallots
- 1 ½ tsp crushed dried red chillies
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- ½ tsp black mustard seeds
- 1 sprig curry leaves
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ¾ tsp salt
- 3 tbsp water
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Crush 8 shallots, 3 garlic cloves and 1 ½ tsp crushed dried red chillies coarsely in a mortar.
2 minStep 2: Heat 2 tbsp coconut oil in a wide pan over a medium heat. Add ½ tsp black mustard seeds and, when it pops, 1 sprig curry leaves and the crushed shallot mix. Fry for 2 minutes until the shallots soften and turn light gold.
3 minStep 3: Add 10 ½ oz long beans (vanpayar), ¼ tsp ground turmeric and ¾ tsp salt and toss to coat. Sprinkle in 3 tbsp water, cover and cook for 4 minutes.
4 minStep 4: Uncover and stir-fry on a medium heat for 6–7 minutes more until the beans are tender with a slight bite and blistered in places. Serve hot.
7 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 110 kcal
- Protein
- 3 g
- Carbs
- 9 g
- Fat
- 7 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does payar mezhukkupuratti take?
- About 25 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of shallots?
- Half an onion per 2 shallots.
- What can I use instead of garlic cloves?
- ½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.
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