Blogging Marathon# 39 - Indian States: Day 27
State: Tripura
Dish: Kosoi Bwtwi (Green Beans & Garlic Curry)
State: Tripura
Dish: Kosoi Bwtwi (Green Beans & Garlic Curry)
From south India, we are moving all the way to northeastern state of Tripura. Tripura is one of the seven sister states in North Eastern India. Indigenous communities forma about 30% of Tripura's population. The Kokborok-speaking Tirupuri people are the major group among 19 tribes and many sub-tribes.
Because of its geographical location, Tripura only has one major highway, National Highway 44, connecting it with the rest of the country. This is the reason for the hindered economic progress in the state. Poverty and unemployment continue to plague Tripura, which has a limited infrastructure.
Cuisine: Tripuris (people of Tripura) are essentially non-vegetarians and hence the main courses are mainly prepared using meat, but with the addition of vegetables. Traditional Tripuri cuisine is known as Mui Borok. Key ingredient called Berma, which is dried and fermented fish is used in most of their dishes. Food is prepared without oil and hence considered healthy.
Today's Dish: I found the recipe for green beans dry curry, kosoi bwtwi, on Tripura Society site. It is such a simple dish and had berma in it. From what I've read about berma, it is not very pleasant to taste, but when cooked its flavor is mouthwatering and appetizing to Tripuri people. I couldn't think of any vegetarian substitute to this ingredient, so simply left it out and proceeded with the recipe.
Most of the recipes for the northeastern states available online are incomplete without no clear instructions. Even this recipe I found was incomplete with the instructions not including some of the ingredients listed. So I took some liberty and made the dish in my own style.
Recipe adapted from Tripura Society:
Because of its geographical location, Tripura only has one major highway, National Highway 44, connecting it with the rest of the country. This is the reason for the hindered economic progress in the state. Poverty and unemployment continue to plague Tripura, which has a limited infrastructure.
Cuisine: Tripuris (people of Tripura) are essentially non-vegetarians and hence the main courses are mainly prepared using meat, but with the addition of vegetables. Traditional Tripuri cuisine is known as Mui Borok. Key ingredient called Berma, which is dried and fermented fish is used in most of their dishes. Food is prepared without oil and hence considered healthy.
Today's Dish: I found the recipe for green beans dry curry, kosoi bwtwi, on Tripura Society site. It is such a simple dish and had berma in it. From what I've read about berma, it is not very pleasant to taste, but when cooked its flavor is mouthwatering and appetizing to Tripuri people. I couldn't think of any vegetarian substitute to this ingredient, so simply left it out and proceeded with the recipe.
Ingredients:
Green Beans - 2cups, chopped into 1" pieces
Green chilies - 2~3, finely chopped
Onion - 1 medium, thinly sliced
Garlic - 3 cloves, chopped
Turmeric - ¼tsp
Salt - to taste
Green chilies - 2~3, finely chopped
Onion - 1 medium, thinly sliced
Garlic - 3 cloves, chopped
Turmeric - ¼tsp
Salt - to taste
Method:
- Heat 1tsp oil in a pan; add the onions and garlic. Cook for 3~4 minutes or until onions are translucent.
- Next add the green chili, green beans and turmeric. Mix well and add 1 cup of water. Bring the mixture to a boil, lower the heat and simmer till the beans are tender.
Serve with steamed rice.
Lets check out what my fellow marathoners have cooked today for BM# 39.
beans is one veggie that i like when it is cooked with basic simple flavors..it looks so good and I would surely love to serve this to my family.
ReplyDeletevery simple and very elegant... love it
ReplyDeleteSeems like we all went to the same site to get this beautiful dish, yours looks absolutely appetizing.
ReplyDeletesimple recipe and beautifully presented
ReplyDeleteIt was hard to find recipes for Tripura and when you did you could not find the ingredients. But you have done a great job with these beans. They look very appetizing.
ReplyDeleteI had such hard time for this state and almost thought I would do this in the end..the beans were not of the tender types this season..yours has turned out so good Pavani..
ReplyDeleteSame pinch, Pavani. I substituted Berma with sauteed tofu which was a super hit with the kids.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a simple and healthy stir fry,addition of garlic makes it more flavorful...
ReplyDeleteSuch a simple curry Pavani! I was almost on the verge of giving up on this state :)
ReplyDeleteEven I made this but like your dry version better. Min e was more like a broth and did not like the broth. Ended up eating only the beans.
ReplyDeleteSimple and delicious. I certainly know who difficult it was to find veggie recipes here. Love the presentation.
ReplyDeleteA simple and flavorful curry! And I agree non of the NE state recipes had clear instructions!But the best part is each one of us have come up with tasty versions of the same dish!!
ReplyDeletevery healthy and delicious beans stir fry with mild spices absolutely inviting :)
ReplyDeletei can see why this green bean stir fry is so popular.. it's so fresh and simple..
ReplyDeletethis was definitely the most challenging state as I agree recipes online would have ingredients but no quantities and methodology vague - anyway your version looks delciious
ReplyDeleteSimple and comforting side with rice. I think it can be had as a salad too!!!
ReplyDeleteLove how the vibrant color of beans is retained.
ReplyDelete