1 Cup of dry beans soaked overnight
Oil
1 Onion ( ½ onion grated, ½ finely sliced)
1 Grated tomato
1 Aniseed
1 Black cardamom
1 Stick of cinnamon
1 Bay leaf
2 Sprigs of curry leaves
2 Sprigs of thyme
4 Leaves of spring onions
2 Mint leaves
A pinch each of cumin seeds, mustard seeds and fennel
1 Heaped tablespoon of mixed masala
1 Teaspoon of chilli powder
A pinch of turmeric powder
½ A teaspoon of cumin and coriander powder
1 Medium sized potato
1 Slit green chilli
1 Teaspoon of ginger and garlic
Freshly chopped coriander (dhania) for garnishing
Additional braising ingredients:
2 Tablespoons of Oil
½ Tablespoon of masala
½ A teaspoon of chilli powder
A pinch each of turmeric, cumin and coriander powders
Method
- Boil beans with water in a large pot till firm (about 2 hours). Add salt to taste – 1 tsp
- Heat oil in a pot with ½ a sliced onion, cinnamon stick, bay leaf, cardamom, 1 sprig each of curry leaf and thyme, 2 leaves of chopped spring onion, aniseed, 1 mint leaf, fennel, mustard and cumin seeds. Simmer until the onions begin to change colour.
- Add in the masala, chilli, turmeric, cumin and coriander powders. Stir in the ginger and garlic paste after a few seconds.
- Add the potato and salt to taste. Mix the potato in well ensuring that it is evenly coated with the masala. Reduce the heat and simmer.
- The grated tomato and onion can be added along with the remainder spring onion, thyme, mint and curry leaves. Allow the curry to simmer.
- Stir in the beans after tomato begins to melt.
- Cook until the potatoes are soft and the tomato has completely disappeared.
- Garnish with coriander and remove from heat.
- In a separate pot combine all the braising ingredients and simmer for a few seconds. Remove the pot with the curry off the heat and pour in the braised masala over the cooked curry.