Mochai Sundal – Field Beans Sundal

Mochai known as field beans in english is my favourite. Unfortunately we do not get fresh ones here. So have to use these dried field beans. This Mochai Sundal is a healthy, flavourful and yummy sundal for Navaratri. This can be had as an evening snack too. A small bowl of this and a glass of milk would be really filling for kids after coming back from school. My friend Rani generously gave me a box of this field beans she had got it from India. Thanks to her!!

I was actually wondering if it would be good enough like the fresh ones, but the moment it got cooked the whole house was filled with a wonderful aroma!!

Now to the recipe…

[Preparation Time-10 mins : Cooking Time- 10 mins Soaking time: 6 hours or overnight]

Ingredients:

• Mochai / Field Beans – 1 cup
• Grated coconut – 2 tbsp
• Dry chillies – 2
• Chana dal – 1 tbsp
• Coriander – 1 tbsp
• Oil – 1 tsp
• Mustard – 1 tsp
• Urad dal – 1 tsp
• Curry leaves – a sprig
• Asafoetida – a pinch
• Salt – as needed

Method:

• Soak field beans overnight. Pressure cook with little salt for 3 to 4 whistles. It should be soft but not mushy.

• Heat a pan and dry roast chana dal, coriander seeds and red chillies until slightly brown. Let it cool. Grind it into a coarse powder. Keep it aside.

• Heat a pan with oil. Temper with mustard, urad dal, curry leaves and asafoetida. Add the cooked mochai, the ground powder and grated coconut. Check for salt, add if necessary. Mix well and saute for a few mins. Switch off the flame.

Thats it!! Mochai Sundal is ready!!

Serve hot!!

Tips:

1. If u forget to soak the mochai or plan to make it in the last minute – Soak it with boiling hot water for 2 hours. I did the same and it worked out well.
2. U can skip the dry roasting and grinding part and make it as plain mochai sundal.
3. Make sure not to over cook the mochai.