GUJARATI VAAL NU SHAK
(LIMA BEANS CURRY)

Desi vaal also known as Lima beans/Butter beans are popular legumes which has mild buttery flavours. They are known by several regional names in India. They called Sem Phali in Hindi, Mochai in Tamil.
Lima beans/Vaal are a highly prized bean in Gujarati cooking. Vaal nu shak is considered a ‘wedding food’ and ubiquitous in Gujarati weddings in Gujarati weddings. This curry is enhanced with sweet and sour taste using jaggery and tamarind.

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes
Serves: 4 persons

Ingredients:
2 cup lima beans/Vaal
2 tbsp oil
1 bay leaf
2 dry red chillies
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp cumin seeds
Pinch of asafoetida
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tbsp red chilli powder
1 tbsp cumin coriander powder
1 tbsp gram flour
2 tbsp jaggery tamrind paste
Salt to taste

Method:

1. Soak vaal/lima beans in warm water for 7-8 hours or overnight. Then wash and add fresh water and pressure cook it.
2. Now heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, bay leaf and dry red chillies and let them splutter, then add asafoetida turmeric and red chilli powder and sauté few seconds.
3. Further add pressure cooked beans, two cups water and salt. Mix and let it boil for couple of minutes.
4. Then dilute gram flour in little water and add into boiling beans along with cumin coriander powder, jaggery tamarind paste and mix well. After one boil turn the flame on low and cook for ten minutes, then turn off the heat.
5. Serve hot with meals.

Note:

1. Can add tomatoes.
2. You can add dates tamarind chutney or jaggery and tamarind paste individually.