A Splash of Green: The Pure Joy of French Bean Coconut Curry (Poriyal)
One such dry vegetable curry, from South India, more precisely from Tamil Nadu, is the French Bean Coconut Curry, or simply, French Bean Poriyal. It is a very basic dish that goes about pairing the crispness of French beans with some very rich, fragrant flavors from grated coconut and traditional Indian spices.
Origins and Cultural Significance
French Beans:
The French beans, green beans, or string beans are actually from Central and South America. Long before the explorers introduced them to Europe, where they became very famous, native people from these countries used to grow them. Much later, the beans were taken to other parts of the world, for instance, India, where they were accepted and integrated into a number of regional cuisines.
Coconut:
Coconut is a staple in South Indian cooking, particularly in the coastal regions. The usage of coconut in cooking dates back to centuries, and it forms an integral part of the cuisines in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. The versatility of coconuts makes them useful in many forms—grated, milk, or oil—lending unique flavor and texture to dishes.
Poriyal: The Evolution
Poriyal:
Poriyal is the Tamil term for sautéed or stir-fried vegetable dishes. This style of cooking is inherent to Tamil Nadu cuisine and is characterized by simplicity and flavor. Traditionally, the poriyals are made by sautéing the vegetables with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and dried red chilies, finally finished with grated coconut. Due to its dry nature, this dish will give a good accompaniment to rice and sambar.
Fusion into French Bean Coconut Curry:
How French beans were incorporated into South Indian cuisine, especially in the form of a poriyal, was quite exemplary in regional cooking, very adaptable and creative. The mild flavor of the French beans fits in well with the robust and aromatic spices that go into the cooking in South India. Grated coconut adds to the texture and a subtle sweetness that will balance the spices so beautifully.
Ingredients
Traditional Ingredients:
- French Beans: Fresh and tender French beans are the main ingredient.
- Coconut: Freshly grated coconut is added for both texture and flavor.
- Spices: Mustard seeds, dried red chilies, turmeric, and curry leaves provide the main flavor.
- Aromatics: Onions and garlic are optional but add more flavor.
- Oil: Coconut oil is used predominantly, which brings out more of the coconut flavor.
Serving Suggestions
- French Bean Coconut Poriyal is usually served as a side dish with steamed rice and sambar or rasam.
- This goes well with other Southern Indian food items such as dosa or chapati, making this dish versatile to be used at any meal course.
- Also can be paired with, Methi Fried Rice Recipe (Fenugreek leaves) (मेथी राईस रेसिपी).
- Other variations to this famous dish is Cabbage, Carrot and Peas Poriyal Curry Recipe (गोबी मटर और गाजर पोरीयाल) and French Bean and Green Peas Curry (Fanasi Vatana nu Shaak)
French Bean Coconut Poriyal is an example of how the local South Indian cooking technique can transform very basic ingredients into a flavorful and filling dish. This hybridity in history, ranging from the use of local ingredients to bringing in ingredients from outside regions, reflects a constant dynamism in culinary tradition.
French Bean and Coconut Curry (Poriyal)
Ingredients
- 250 grams french beans fanasi, (फनसी)
- 1 tbsp oil तेल
- 1/2 tsp mustard seeds राय
- a pinch asafoetida हिंग
- 1 1/2 tsp ginger-garlic-green chillie paste अदरक, लेहसुन, हरी मीर्च की पेस्ट
- salt to taste (नमक)
- a pinch soda bicarbonate खाने का सोडा
- 1 tbsp fresh coriander leaves धनीया
- 1 tbsp scraped coconut नारीयल
- a dash of lemon juice नीम्बु का रस
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a pan. Add the mustard seeds and when they splutter add the asafoetida and ginger-green chilli paste.1 tbsp oil, 1/2 tsp mustard seeds, a pinch asafoetida, 1 1/2 tsp ginger-garlic-green chillie paste
- Stir and add the French beans and mix well. Add the salt and soda bicarbonate (This will help retaining French beans color).250 grams french beans, salt, a pinch soda bicarbonate
- Stir, sprinkle quarter cup of water and cook on medium heat, without covering the pan, for five to seven minutes or till the beans have softened.
- Add coconut and mix well. Saute for another 2-3 minutes.1 tbsp scraped coconut
- Garnish with the fresh coriander and a dash of lemon and serve.1 tbsp fresh coriander leaves, a dash of lemon juice
