Dinner: Green Bean, Corn, and Coconut Stir-Fry (Thoren)

Recipe by Maya Kaimal I grew up on green beans thoren, and while I'll never tire of its crunchy deliciousness, I think adding corn makes it even better. And even though people don't often associate stir-fries with Indian cooking, this dish is a favorite

Ingredients

3/4 cup grated dried unsweetened coconut
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 small fresh green chile, such as serrano, Thai, or jalapeño, slit lengthwise with stem end intact
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1/4 cup water
Salt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon brown mustard seeds
1/8 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes
15 to 20 fresh curry leaves (optional)
1 pound green beans, thinly sliced crosswise (1/4 inch)
3 ears corn, kernels cut from cobs

Instructions

Stir together coconut, cumin, coriander, cayenne, turmeric, chile, garlic, 1/4 cup water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl.
Heat oil in a wok or 12-inch heavy skillet (not nonstick) over medium-high heat until it shimmers, then cook mustard seeds and red pepper flakes until mustard seeds begin to pop and/or turn gray. Add curry leaves (if using), covering skillet immediately as they crackle for a few seconds.
Add green beans and corn and stir-fry 8 minutes. Add coconut mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender, 8 to 10 minutes. If mixture becomes dry and begins to stick to bottom of wok, add a few tablespoons water. Season with salt.

Share Green Bean, Corn, and Coconut Stir-Fry (Thoren)