Choli Muthia nu Shaak
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4
Indian long green beans, called Choli in Gujarati, are not easily available fresh here. You can use frozen choli available in Indian grocery stores or Chinese long beans.
Ingredients
- 1 bag of frozen choli (Indian long green beans), thawed
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- ¼ teaspoon asafetida
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dhana-jeeru (spice blend of ground coriander and cumin)
- 1 teaspoon of salt or to taste
- 1 teaspoon sugar or golf ball size piece of jaggery
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro, for garnish
- Water as needed
For Muthia (dumplings):
- ½ cup chickpea flour
- 1 tablespoon coarse bhakri flour or cream of wheat
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- Pinch of asafetida
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ cup thinly sliced ribbons of spinach
- 1 tablespoon yogurt or buttermilk
- Water as needed
Directions
- Make dough for Muthia: Combine two flours, oil, dry spices and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Add spinach and yogurt or buttermilk. Add water gradually and make soft dough (like dumpling dough). Set aside.
- In a wok or a frying pan, heat oil on a medium-high heat. Add mustard seeds and let it sizzle. Add asafetida, turmeric and chili powder. Add choli and ¾ cups of water. Season with salt and let water come to boil.
- Using two spoons drop small muthia (about 1 teaspoon in a shape of oval) in the water. Cover the wok or pan and let choli and muthia cook, about 10 to 12 minutes. Stir gently few times; add more water if shaak is too dry.
- Uncover the wok or pan; add sugar, dhana-jeeru and stir. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Garnish with cilantro and serve warm with Rotali or Paratha.