Kothavarangai (Cluster beans) Poriyal – With peanuts

Kothavarangai Poriyal | Cluster beans Stirfry

Kothavarangai or Cluster beans poriyal is a healthy Andhra style stir fry recipe using ground peanuts, garlic and red chilli powder.

This variety of beans popularly consumed in countries like india, Srilanka and Pakistan. It is also known in different names such as othavarangai, Gawar, Goruchikkudu kaya in various regions of India.

Why should you eat Kothavarangai (cluster beans) Poriyal

Kothavarangai or cluster beans is very healthy when consumed as poriyal or stir fry.

It is a vegetable which every weight watcher must include in their diet as it is rich in dietary fibre and very low in calories. It is also said to be high in Iron and rich in calcium.

This fiberous vegetable is great for detox, as it is said to clean your digestive system and removes toxins which accumulates over time.

There are many ways to make cluster beans, I have shared my favourite way to cook Kothavarangai (cluster beans) poriyal. Adding peanuts to stir fry is a very common style of preparation in Andhra region of India. I learnt this delicious recipe from a proper Telugu speaking ex-colleague. I loved it at the first spoon.

This style of preparation can be applied to all vegetables. Carrots, beetroots or even regular beans.

How to pick and prepare kothavarangai (Cluster beans) to make this poriyal

This vegetable is usually not many favourite as sometimes they turn out to be bitter or too fiberous to eat.

Choose cluster beans that is fresh and not too old. The older they get the more fiberous they get, you may have to snip off the ends and remove a thin fibre that runs on the sides of the beans.

Choose to chop them about 1 cm to 1.5 cm length. You can either steam it or pressure cook it with little water.

If you want to cut the bitterness, you can discard the water you used to cook, them. I don’t mind and I think the water carries nutrients and usually add just enough water to cook it off.

Ingredients required

Cluster beans – 250 GMs 

Oil – 1 tsp 

Mustard seeds – 1 tsp 

Dry red chilli – 1 no. 

Urad dal – 1 tsp 

Asafoetida – 1/4 tsp 

Peanuts – 2 handfuls 

Salt – (to taste) 

Water – 1 cup 

Grated / fine coconut powder – 2 tbsp 

To grind : 

Dry red chillies – 3 no.s 

Garlic – 1 large pod 

Prep work before you begin

wash and chop cluster beans

Finely chop onions

Remove skin off peanuts and keep it ready, peel garlic pod

How to make Cluster beans peanuts stir fry 

Heat a pan, to medium flame, add chopped cluster beans, add water, salt and turmeric powder, mix it well, cover and cook for 10 minutes or until the cluster beans is cooked and tender. 

Meanwhile, take a fine blender, add peanuts, dry red chillies, garlic and grind it to a powder.

Once the cluster beans is cooked, transfer to a plate and wash the same pan and put it on medium flame again.

Add oil, once hot, add mustard seeds, Allow it to sputter fully. 

Next add dry red chilli, Urad dal, asafoetida one after the other, sauté for a few seconds. 

Add finely chopped onions, cook until translucent. Add the cooked cluster beans, mix it in. 

Next, add powdered peanut and red chilli prepared earlier

Mix it roast it for a few minutes. Check for seasoning such as salt. Add more if needed. 

Transfer to a serving dish, enjoy with hot sambar sadham.

Watch how to make Kothavarangai (cluster beans) Poriyal

How to eat

Best served with Sambar sadham —> South Indian Sambar Recipe or Rasam sadham

Check out other vegetarian recipes,

Red Amaranth Stir Fry

Beetroot Rasam

Cauliflower Tikka Biriyani

Eggless Chocolate Pudding

Spicy mushroom fry recipe (sukka)

Mixed Vegetable Kuruma (HSB style)

Storage and shelf life

Stores well up to 3 days in refrigerator

Also check out other similar recipes

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