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Sauteed Green Beans with Coconut

If you're tired of serving the same old green bean dishes, here's a way to give them a South Indian spin. The coconut augments the sweetness of the beans and, along with the crunchy mustard seeds, lends texture as well.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    1 1D2 hr

  • Yield

    Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

1

/2 cup finely grated unsweetened coconut* (1 1/2 oz)

1

/3 cup water

1

lb green beans, trimmed

3

tablespoons vegetable oil

2

teaspoons black mustard seeds*

1

(1 1/2-inch) dried hot red chile, seeded and crumbled

1

Turkish bay leaf or 1/2 California

1

/4 teaspoon salt

1

/4 teaspoon black pepper

Need to make a substitution?

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Stir together coconut and water in a bowl. Let soak at room temperature until water is absorbed, about 1 hour.

    Step 2

    Cook beans in a 6-quart heavy pot of boiling salted water , uncovered, until crisp-tender, 6 to 7 minutes. Transfer beans to a colander set in a bowl of ice and cold water to stop cooking, then drain well.

    Step 3

    Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then add mustard seeds, chile, and bay leaf and sauté, stirring, until mustard seeds make popping sounds, about 1 minute. Add beans and stir until coated with oil. Add coconut mixture and cook, stirring, until heated through, 2 to 3 minutes. Discard bay leaf and season with salt and pepper.

  2. *Available at kalustyans.com.