Beans Thoran is a delicious beans recipe made with french beans (green beans) from the Kerala cuisine. Apart from the fewer spices used, both fresh grated coconut and coconut oil gives this dish a remarkable flavor and taste - not to forget the taste & flavor of beans that also merges well with the coconut flavors.
Firstly rinse the green beans a couple of times in water. Then drain all the water.
Chop the beans finely. Discard the top and the end portions of the beans while chopping. You will need about 1.5 to 1.75 cups finely chopped beans.
Making beans thoran
Heat coconut oil in a heavy pan or kadai. Keep heat to a low and add mustard seeds.
Let the mustard seeds crackle. When the mustard seeds begin to crackle, add cumin seeds and let them crackle.
Next add the chopped pearl onions or shallots. You can also use ¼ to ⅓ cup finely chopped onions instead.
Mix well and begin to sauté onions on a low heat.
Sauté till the onions turn translucent. Do not brown them.
Then add finely chopped garlic, chopped green chillies and 10 to 11 curry leaves. Mix on a low heat.
Add ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder. Mix again.
Now add the finely chopped beans. Stir and mix well.
Add ½ cup grated fresh coconut. season with salt as per taste. Mix very well again.
Sprinkle about 4 tablespoons water first and stir to combine.
Cover with a lid and cook beans thoran on a low heat.
Check after 3 to 4 minutes. If water has dried up, then sprinkle some more water. Mix well and continue to cover and cook. Overall you can add ⅓ cup water or more as required. Add water in parts.
Cook till the beans are completely cooked and tender. If there is any water in the pan after the beans are tender, then simmer further without lid until all the water evaporates.
Serve Beans Thoran with steamed rice or a side vegetable dish in a sadya meal or South Indian meal. If you want you can garnish with some coriander leaves.
Notes
Use fresh, tender and green colored beans.
Coconut oil add a distinct flavor to the dish. But if out of it, swap with any neutral flavored oil.
Instead of fresh coconut, you can use frozen shredded coconut.
Add water as needed while cooking the green beans.
Easily scale the recipe to make for more servings.