Beans Usili

Instructions

1. 1

   Soak the Lentils

   • Rinse the toor dal and chana dal under cold water until the water runs clear.
   • Place the rinsed dals in a bowl and cover with ample water. Let them soak for at least 2 hours, or up to 4 hours.
2. 2

   Grind the Dal Paste

   • Completely drain the water from the soaked dals.
   • Transfer the dals to a grinder or food processor along with the dried red chillies, hing, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
   • Grind to a coarse, thick paste. Add only 1-2 tablespoons of water if absolutely necessary to help the blades move. The paste must be thick, not runny.
3. 3

   Steam the Dal Paste

   • Lightly grease an idli plate or a small steel plate with a few drops of oil.
   • Spread the ground dal paste onto the plate in an even layer.
   • Steam in an idli cooker or a steamer over medium heat for 12-15 minutes. The dal cake is cooked when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
   • Remove from the steamer and allow it to cool completely to room temperature. This is crucial for easy crumbling.
4. 4

   Prepare the Usili Crumble

   • Once the steamed dal cake has cooled, break it into smaller chunks.
   • Pulse the chunks a few times in the grinder or crumble them thoroughly with your hands to achieve a coarse, breadcrumb-like texture. Set this usili crumble aside.
5. 5

   Cook the French Beans

   • While the dal cake is cooling, place the chopped french beans in a pan.
   • Add the turmeric powder, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and about 1/2 cup of water.
   • Cover and cook over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, or until the beans are tender but still have a slight bite. Drain any excess water and set aside.
6. 6

   Prepare the Tempering and Combine

   • Heat the coconut oil in a wide pan (kadai) over medium-high heat.
   • Add the mustard seeds and wait for them to splutter.
   • Add the urad dal and sauté until it turns a light golden brown.
   • Toss in the curry leaves and sauté for a few seconds until they become crisp and fragrant.
   • Add the cooked french beans to the pan and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes to coat them with the tempering.
7. 7

   Finish the Dish

   • Add the prepared usili crumble to the pan with the beans.
   • Gently mix everything together, ensuring the crumble is evenly distributed without mashing the beans.
   • Sauté on low-medium heat for 3-5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the crumble to heat through.
   • Taste and adjust salt if needed. Serve hot.