Avara Songe
A hot and savory, delicious, traditional Konkani lablab beans stir-fry.
Servings Prep Time
4servings 30minutes
Cook Time
30minutes
Servings Prep Time
4servings 30minutes
Cook Time
30minutes
Ingredients
  • 330gm mature lablab beans(freshly shelled) (see note)
  • 200gm onionpeeled
  • 10gm gingerpeeled
  • 100gm tomatoes(I used grape tomatoes, but any type will do)
  • 20gm hot green chilies
  • 10gm Kashmiri chili powder
  • 5gm coriander powder
  • 2gm turmeric powder
  • 15gm salt
  • 50ml coconut oil
  • 3gm mustard seeds
  • 2sprigs curry leaves
  • 350ml water
  • 1plant coriander leaves
Instructions
To prepare:
  1. Put the beans in the pressure cooker and pour in a liter of water.
  2. Set the cooker on high heat.
  3. As soon as you hear the first whistle, turn off the heat and let the cooker take its time for the steam to subside naturally. This will cook the beans to perfection.
  4. When cool enough, open the lid and drain off the broth.
  5. Chop the onion and the ginger to fine bits and set aside.
  6. Cut each green chili into 2 or 3 pieces and keep aside.
  7. Chop the tomatoes into little bits and put aside.
  8. Chop the coriander leaves to fine pieces and set aside.
To cook:
  1. Set a thick cast-iron wok (for best taste) on high heat. Pour in the coconut oil and throw in the mustard seeds.
  2. As soon as the mustard seeds are about to finish crackling, pull the curry leaves off their sprigs and throw them in.
  3. Quickly tip in the chopped onion and the chopped ginger. Stir continuously on high heat for 10 minutes or until the onions are golden brown in color.
  4. Lower the heat and tip in the chopped green chilies and the chopped tomatoes.
  5. Mix well and put in the chili powder, the coriander powder, the turmeric powder and the salt.
  6. Stir well and tip in the cooked lablab beans. Pour in the water and turn up the heat. Stir occasionally.
  7. As soon as it comes to a boil, turn down the heat and cover with a lid. Let the songe cook for 5 minutes.
  8. Now open the lid, tip in the coriander leaves and switch off the heat.
  9. Stir and serve hot with fresh porottas, chappatis, rice, dosas, porridge or freshly baked bread.
Recipe Notes

If fresh, mature lablab beans are not available, just use 200 gm of dry lablab beans, but do remember to soak them in water overnight. If you cannot get lablab beans at all, just use kidney beans instead. You will have a sweeter songe!