Black bean salad

I rarely make salads, though I know that they are very healthy. One of my friend had invited us for the thanksgiving dinner last year and this salad was one among the menu. I loved this salad as it was very attractive to see and it tasted great. I have made this thrice after having it in her house. Would really love to share it with u all.

Ingredients

Black bean- 1 cup

cucumber-1 small, chopped finely

onion- 1 small, chopped finely

tomato- 1 small, chopped finely

mango-1 big slice, chopped finely

coriander leaves- a few , chopped finely

green chillies-1 chopped finely

salt to taste

pepper powder- little

Method

Soak the black bean (if using fresh ones) overnight and cook till done (be careful not to overcook it). U can use the canned beans too and its very easy to make this salad with canned beans.

Add all the chopped veggies to the black bean and toss it up with salt and pepper. squeeze lemon juice and serve.

U can increase or decrease the amount of veggies as per ur taste. U can use any variety of beans to make this salad and add veggies such as carrots ,coconut,peas , boiled peanuts etc according to ur taste.

Ulli Theeyal

'Ulli' means onion in malayalam and 'Theeyal' means burnt food. The coconut should be fried well until brown in this dish. Theeyal is almost similar to Tamilnadu's kaara kuzhambu. We don't fry the coconut for kaara kuzhambu and we add vegetables like brinjal and drumsticks to it.
This is my contribution to the RCI: Kerala hosted by Jyothsna of Currybazaar and JFI:Onions hosted by Radhika of Radhi's Kitchen.

Ingredients

pearl onions- 30 -35 peeled and sliced
coconut- 1/2 cup
tomato- 1 small
coriander seeds- 2 tsp
cumin seeds- 1 tsp
chilli powder- 1 to 1 1/2 tsp or acc to taste
turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp
tamarind- lemon sized
oil-2 tbsp
salt to taste
For seasoning
mustard seeds- 1/4 tsp
split bengal gram- 1/4 tsp
curry leaves- a few
red chilli -1
methi seeds- slightly less than 1/4 tsp

Method

Soak the tamarind in water and extract the juice out of it.
Heat 2 tsp oil in a pan and add coriander seeds, cumin, 10 - 15 onions and coconut one by one and fry for a couple of minutes.
When cooled add this along with turmeric powder, chilli powder , tomato and grind to a fine paste.
Heat the remaining oil in a pan and add the seasonings one by one.Then add the rest of the sliced pearl/sambar onions and fry till it turns transparent.
Now add the ground paste and the tamarind juice. Add 1 cup of water to it and when it boils simmer the flame and close partly with a lid. Keep on flame for 15 to 20 minutes till the gravy thickens and oil seperates.
Serve hot with rice.

Note
U can add coriander powder and cumin powder too instead of seeds.
U can add brinjals and bittergourd instead of onions.
Check Anita's Ulli theeyal too.