Blogging Marathon# 39 – Indian States: Day 27
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 calledBerma, 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:
- 2 cups Green Beans - chopped into 1" pieces
- 2 ~ 3 Chilies Green - finely chopped
- 1 onion - medium, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic - chopped
- ¼ tsp turmeric
- to taste salt
- 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.
vaishali sabnani
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.
Nivedhanams Sowmya
very simple and very elegant… love it
Priya Suresh
Seems like we all went to the same site to get this beautiful dish, yours looks absolutely appetizing.
The Pumpkin Farm
simple recipe and beautifully presented
Varadas Kitchen
It 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.
Srivalli
I 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..
Harini-Jaya Rupanagudi
Same pinch, Pavani. I substituted Berma with sauteed tofu which was a super hit with the kids.
Nalini's Kitchen
This is such a simple and healthy stir fry,addition of garlic makes it more flavorful…
Sandhya Ramakrishnan
Such a simple curry Pavani! I was almost on the verge of giving up on this state 🙂
Usha Rao
Even 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.
Archana Potdar
Simple and delicious. I certainly know who difficult it was to find veggie recipes here. Love the presentation.
PJ
A 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!!
Manjula Bharath
very healthy and delicious beans stir fry with mild spices absolutely inviting 🙂
Jayanthi Padmanabhan
i can see why this green bean stir fry is so popular.. it’s so fresh and simple..
Global Tastes & Travels Inc.
this 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
Priya Srinivasan
Simple and comforting side with rice. I think it can be had as a salad too!!!
Suma Gandlur
Love how the vibrant color of beans is retained.