Kerala White Bean Stew

Step 1

Soak your pumpkin seeds if you haven’t already and set them aside. Drain the beans and set aside (you can also use 1.5 cups of cooked beans of choice).

Step 2

Dry toast the spices: Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add the fennel seeds, coriander seeds, and black peppercorns and toast until the fennel seeds change color. Then add them to a spice grinder or coffee grinder and grind them until a coarse powder forms. And set aside.

Step 3

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, shallots, green chilies, curry leaves, and a good pinch of salt, and cook until the onion is golden.

Step 4

Add splashes of water in between to help the onion brown evenly. Once the onion is golden add the ginger-garlic paste, turmeric, cayenne, and soy sauce and mix in. Cook for a minute then add the drained beans, pumpkin seeds, ground spice mix from above, and salt and mix in.

Step 5

Add the water and lemon juice and cover the pan. Cook for 8-10 minutes. Then remove the lid and add the non-dairy yogurt and stir. Taste and adjust salt and flavor. Add more water for more sauce if needed. Simmer for a minute and switch off the heat. Garnish with some cilantro and serve with flatbread, dosa, rice, idli, or artisan or sourdough bread.