Mochakottai (lima beans) Kurma

A legume variety that is vastly available during Thai month or commonly called as the Pongal season. We have always used them in Sambar recipes, but here's a surprise, you can use them to make a tasty kurma too.
 

Mochakottai (lima beans)Kurma 

Ingredients

Mochakottai (fresh or frozen) – 1 cup

Big onion (small size) - 2

Tomato (medium size) - 1

Grated coconut - 1 table spoon

Ginger - 1 inch

Garlic pods (medium size) – 2 to 3

Poppy seeds (kasakasa) - 2 teaspoon

Cashew nuts - 4

Chilli powder – 1 to 2 teaspoon

Turmeric powder – 1 teaspoon

Coriander powder – 2 to 3 teaspoons

Salt to taste

For Seasoning

Butter (optional) - 1 teaspoon

Oil – 1 to 2 teaspoon

Cardamom – 1

Cinnamon - 1 inch

Clove – 1

Jeera - 1 teaspoon

Sombu (Aniseeds) - 1 teaspoon

Green chili - 1 to 2 numbers

Preparation

Grind grated coconut, poppy seeds, and cashew nuts into a paste with little water.

Method

In a small cooker pan, add 1 teaspoon of butter or oil and fry the ingredients listed for seasoning.

Add finely chopped garlic, ginger and sauté for few seconds.

Add onion pieces along with little salt and sauté until it turns golden brown. Add chopped tomato and fry for a minute.

Then add turmeric powder, coriander powder, chilli powder and sauté for few seconds.

At this stage, add fresh mochakotti to the mix and pour 1 cup of water. Now close the cooker and cook upto 2 whistles. (If a small size cooker is not available, cook in an open vessel until the mochakottai gets soft). Open the cooker lid only after pressure releases.

Add the ground masala along with the cooked items and salt, if necessary add little water and bring it to a slight boil.

Garnish with coriander leaves.

Now the dish is ready to serve.

Tips

Fresh and tender mochakottai is good for this dish. It will be available only in a particular season. If fresh mochakottai is not available, you can use dried seeds but soak and cook them separately and then add to this dish.

If you want to use crystal salt instead of table salt, add the crystal salt while grinding the coconut paste but be careful with the amount of salt you add.

Health benefits

Lima beans is a part of the legume family with high dietary fiber content and is very low in Saturated Fat, it is a good source of iron.