French Bean ma Gos | French Bean and Meat Stew
Ma gos, or with meat, is how most Parsis eat
their vegetables and meat. Influenced by their Persian ancestors, the people
from Pars have more recently spread across the globe and no longer dominate
just the sub-continent of India and Pakistan.
One often wonders if crossing borders has
changed the way we eat as a community. Have we all forgotten the "ma
gos"? To a fair extent, we have. But the revival of this ancient cuisine
in the past few years has been rather remarkable. It is with much passion that
the younger generation has started to embrace this simple fare. While many may
never visit their ancestral homes, they do have easy access to our delightfully
healthy and familial cuisine.
Social media chat groups, zoom with
cooking demonstrations and picture-perfect cookbooks are their sources of
inspiration. While the lucky few can turn to enthusiastic grandparents for
encouragement. This dish has subtle flavours. It is not spicy, nor oily, and
very simple. Using fresh French beans is always the best.
Serves 6
1 tsp oil
500 g/ 1 lb bone in meat-lamb,
mutton, or goat
1 1/2 tsp ginger-crushed
1
1/2 tsp garlic-crushed
1
tsp cumin powder
1
tsp salt
3
finely chopped green chillies
1 cup fried onion, crushed
3 tomatoes -finely chopped
1 kg/ 2.2 lb French beans
Heat the oil and add the meat to brown all over. Add the ginger,
garlic, cumin, salt, green chillies, and fried onions. Give it a good stir. Add
1 cup of water, bring it all to a boil, and cover the pot. Lower the heat and
cook the meat for 30 minutes. At this point, the water should be almost
evaporated and the meat half done. Add the tomatoes, chillies, and French
beans. Cook for an additional 30 minutes, covered.
Optionally add a pinch of sugar. It will bring out beans’ natural
sweetness. It works on the same principle as adding salt to food.
Tips
The dish should be lush and not watery at all. If there is any
watery residue left over, turn the flame on high for a few minutes, leaving the
pot open to allow it to evaporate.
Do not turn the beans to mush. It
should be cooked through but not mushy.
This recipe is for fresh beans. If
you are using frozen ones, leave them on kitchen paper overnight for the water
to be drained. Or you can dry them off in an oven and add them much later in
the process, ensuring enough time to absorb the flavours. Or you may even stir
fry the beans, allowing the water to evaporate before adding them to the meat
and spices.
Traditionally
French beans were cut at an angle in Parsi home kitchens.
.
My published cookbooks are available for sale through myself and on amazon.
The World of Parsi Cooking: Food Across Borders is a 3 award winning book. It has been self published in July 2019 and will be going into its second print in 2022.
The Art of Parsi Cooking; reviving an ancient cuisine was published in 2016 by Austin Macauley and continues to be available through amazon book depot book depository and from the publishers.
Photo Courtesy Niloufer Mavalvala
Faraj | French beans
One bean that is naturally sweet, crisp and packed with high water content is one of my favourites. The French bean is traditionally cut at an angle, very lightly spiced, and tastes delicious with in-season fresh beans. Having visited a farm as a young girl, I had the chance to pick them each morning and vividly recall the fresh earthy smell of the morning dew on these beautiful vines.
3 tbsp oil ½ kg/ 1.1 lb finely chopped onion 1 ½ tsp garlic ½ tsp crushed cumin powder 2 green chillies
1 kg/ 2.2 lb French beans 1 tsp salt A pinch of sugar 2 large tomatoes -diced
In a deep skillet heat the oil. Fry the onions until golden brown. Add garlic, cumin, and chillies. Add the French beans. Sprinkle it with salt and sugar. Tip over the tomatoes. Mix well. Cover, lower the heat and cook it for 30 minutes. Optionally add a small, diced potato, and/or a handful of peas.
Tips Do not over cook the beans. They must keep their shape and not be mushy.
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