Papdi Bhaji is a simple mildly spiced sautéed and steamed dry preparation made with a handful of ingredients - flat green beans (surti papdi, val papdi), shallots, few spices and coconut.

Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep time: 15 minutes
  • Cook time: 20 minutes
  • Total time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 2
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Cuisine: Goan

Ingredients

  • 200 to 250 grams flat green beans ((papdi or field beans or valor or val papdi or lima beans))
  • 2 to 3 shallots (or 1 small to medium onion - finely chopped)
  • 2 to 3 garlic cloves (-small to medium-sized, finely chopped)
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 green chilli (- chopped or ½ teaspoon)
  • 3 tablespoons grated coconut
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • salt (- as required)
  • 1 to 2 tablespoon coriander leaves (- chopped, for garnish)

Method

Preparatio

  1. Rinse the papdi or flat beans first very well in water.
  2. Drain the water.
  3. Then string them and open the pods. Check for any worms. If there are no worms, then break or chop them straight or diagonally into 1 inch or 1.5 inches pieces.
  4. If there are worms in the pods, then throw these pods away.

Making papdi bhaji

  1. Heat oil in a pan or kadai.
  2. Add the finely chopped onions and sauté on low to medium-heat till the onions soften.
  3. Then add the finely chopped garlic and chopped green chilies.
  4. Sauté for some seconds and add the turmeric powder.
  5. Stir and then add the chopped papdi or flat beans.
  6. Sprinkle salt and 2 to 3 tablespoons of water. Stir to combine.
  7. Cover the pan with a rimmed plate or lid.
  8. Pour water over the rimmed plate.
  9. On a low heat simmer the flat beans till they are cooked completely.
  10. Check in between and give a gentle stir.
  11. If the water dries up in the pan, then sprinkle some water in the pan. Mix again, cover pan with lid and continue to cook.
  12. If the water dries up in the lid, then add more water on the lid.
  13. When the beans are tender, cooked and if there is water in the pan, then simmer without the lid, so that the water dries up. Some moisture should be there in the dish. The beans should not get browned or crisp.
  14. Add the grated coconut and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes more on a low heat.
  15. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve the Papdi Bhaji with roti or chapati.

Kiyaan Singh’s Kitchen Note

Keep this recipe as a working base: cook once as written, then adjust spice, texture, and serving style for your own table.