Konkani Style Stir Fry (Upkari)

Upkari is a Konkani style Stir fry that is made with bare minimum spices and very little oil . Its very mild and the very taste of the vegetable rules. You can relish on just the upkari like a snack or a salad. Upkari can be made with french beans, long beans, gherkins/tenDLe/tonDekai and many other vegetables. Usually only one kind of vegetable is used and can be combined with potatoes.
If you are new to upkari, I recommend you try this first time with french beans.

French Beans Upkari

2 cups french beans
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1/4 tsp urad dal, optional
3-5 green chillies
1 sprig curry leaves
1 tsp oil
1 tbsp coconut, optional

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.

Heat oil in a wok/kadai, splutter mustard seeds. Now add urad dal and fry till light brown. Add slit green chillies and curry leaves, fry for a moment. Add chopped french beans and salt. Add just enough water till all the french beans are soaked. Cover and cook on medium flame till the french beans are tender. Now add coconut, if you opt to and gently mix into the upkari.

Serve with rice and dal or with chapati. I also like to eat it like a snack.