Indian Broad Beans ( Avarakkai in Tamil / Chikkudukai in Telugu / Sem in hindi / Avarekayi in Kannada / Avara in Malayalam ) curry made in South Indian style, little baby prawns or salad shrimp adds a classic homely touch to this dish. This type of broad beans is termed as Naatu avarakkai in tamil, looks thin and broad with soft seeds inside, but the one which we get in US is called seema avarakkai and looks different, long and thick and might take little longer to cook. Sometimes the closest substitute which can be found is Scarlet runner beans. Haven’t explored much about this veggie, will keep an eye and update the exact name. Here are some links from wikipedia, which I found useful while googling…http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broad_beans
| Ingredients | |
|---|---|
| 15 nos | Avarakkai |
| 1 cup | Onion (chopped) |
| 1/2 cup | Tomato |
| ½ tsp | Ginger (crushed) |
| 2 clove | Garlic |
| ¼ tsp | Turmeric powder |
| 1/2 teaspoon | Red chilli powder |
| 3/4 tsp | Coriander /dhania powder |
| 10 nos | Prawns(tiney) |
| 2 tsp | Freshly ground coconut paste |
| ¼ tsp | Mustard |
| ¼ tsp | Cumin seeds |
| 1 no | Dry red chilli |
| 5 nos | Curry leaves |
| ½ tsp | Salt (or to taste) |
| 3 tsp | Oil |
| 1 cup | Water |
| ¼ tsp | Split black gram |
Wash and cut avarakkai cross width wise as shown in the picture. Put the cut pieces in a pressure pan along with chopped onions, tomatoes, crushed ginger garlic, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder, salt and water. Pressure cook for 2 whistles, meanwhile wash and devein the prawns / salad shrimp and keep aside. Now heat oil in a small pan or kadai and splutter mustard, red chilli, cumin seeds, split black gram and curry leaves. Transfer the pressure cooked veggie to this seasoning and mix well. Add in the ground coconut paste and prawns to it. Simmer the whole mixture until it becomes a thick curry. Serve hot with sambar satham.
Notes
This is a typical Gramathu samayal or Country side preparation and they include tiny prawn in it. You may skip if you like.
Serves 2-3 adults
8 Comments
Hiii anitha, you can use dried shrimps…
If its dried prawn then u need to cook well. Or you can shallow fry and add it. Thats the better way.
If its home made dried prawn means you NO need to worry abt cooking well. Coz at home they clean, boil well with salt & dry to make dried prawn. So, you no need to worry abt cooking for long. And also it wont be that hard like those prawns dried raw.
Its better if you dry toast the dried shrimp, make powder & add it to veges. I used here like tat only. http://www.spiceindiaonline.com/cabbage_shrimp_fry
Hi Manoo,
I think they were dried raw(store bought).So,I want the way how to mix with veggies.Manoo,i'll try the way u have mentioned in the cabbage shrimp fry.
Thanks,
Anitha Muthaiyan.
Hii Anitha,
Yea those store bought prawns are dried raw. If you get chance, better make ur own dried prawns. It will dry faster & softer than the raw one. Good Luck..
Take care…
Manoo
Hi Manoo,
I have tried broad beans with roasted and powdered dried shrimp.It tasted good.
Thanks Manoo,we enjoyed(as your recipe).
Also,I tried dried shrimp as such by justing roasting with a tsp of oil and adding along with the veggies.But it was not so good as the first one.I think we have to follow Mullai's recipe if need whole shrimp.
Anitha Muthaiyan.
Dear Anitha,
Its nice to hear one turned out well… I tried with home made prawns so it taste good.l I slightly fry and add to plain noodles too… Again it depends on individuals taste no.. Anyways take care…
Manoo
Mullai, I'm going to try it in a couple of days and let you know the same. Thanks, Anitha Muthaiyan.
Hi Mullai, Can we use dried shrimps in this recipe? Anitha Muthaiyan.
Anitha, I 've not tried so far, bcos don't get this here at my place. I've seen in my MIL use this, but not sure as to how. Try and let me know.