French Beans Upkari

Ingredients:

• 2 cups french beans
• 1 small potato (optional)
  
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• pinch of asafoetida
  
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 2-3 red chillies
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• 1/4 cup shredded coconut
• salt to taste
  

Preparation:

1. Wash, clean, rinse french beans in enough water. If the beans are over grown then remove the strings on the sides. Chop the french beans to 1 cm size.
2. Peel and cut potatoes into thin strips.
3. Heat oil in a wok/kadhai, splutter mustard seeds. Now add cumin seeds and asafoetida, and fry till light brown. Add red chillies, curry leaves, and fry for a moment.
   
4. Add chopped french beans, potatoes and salt. Add just enough water till all the french beans are soaked. Cover lid and cook on medium flame till the french beans are half-cooked.
5. Now add the grated coconut, gently mix, and cover the lid again till it completely cooks.