As a college student, finding a meal that is both filling and easy to prepare can feel like a challenge. This Nepali-style beans recipe is one I chose because it reminds me of home while also being practical for a busy schedule. Growing up, beans were a staple in many Nepali households, often served with rice and shared with family. Now, it has become one of my go-to meals when I want something warm, affordable and satisfying.

The recipe is easy to prepare, tasty and needs fewer ingredients to make it more flavorful. The preparation time needed is quite short if a pressure cooker is used to make the dish which can be stored for up to two days in a fridge, making it perfect for the meal plan. It goes well with white rice or tortilla whichever may be available to the cook.

Ingredients

For preparing the dish, you will require a combination of beans, which should be soaked overnight. Other ingredients required include 1 onion chopped and 2 green chilies. For the base preparation, oil is used in a pressure cooker kept on medium flame. 2 pieces of potatoes prepared as per your choice, should also be added. The seasonings required for this recipe include 1 tablespoon of garlic paste, 1 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon cumin powder, 1 teaspoon cilantro powder, 1 teaspoon red chili powder and 1 teaspoon curry powder. Salt is also added as per your taste requirement. Finally, 1 chopped tomato is required along with adequate amounts of water.

Directions

Start by heating oil in a pressure cooker on medium flame. Now once the oil becomes hot, add chopped onion and green chilies. Let them get slightly browned in color.

Now add in your beans with chopped potatoes in your cooker and mix them thoroughly.

Now add the garlic paste and then mix well. Add in the turmeric powder and mix well after that. Now add in the cumin powder, cilantro powder, red chili powder and finally curry powder. Stir until everything gets mixed up evenly.

Add salt according to your taste preferences and then mix. Now add the chopped tomato into it and cover it. Let it cook for two minutes only.

Now pour a sufficient quantity of water so that it covers all the beans inside. Cover the cooker and let it cook until it whistles five times. If beans aren’t cooked fully, whistle some more time until beans get softened.

Wrap up

The bean dish is one which I find very simple but at the same time quite fulfilling. This is the best meal that I would consider in case I require some nourishment but am not willing to sacrifice a lot of time doing it. The simplicity and tastefulness of this meal makes one realize that an ideal home-made food should not necessarily be complicated or costly to prepare. This Nepalese bean meal is an easy inclusion into your diet routine.

Edited by Arohi Rai and Anushma Dahal