Spiced Brown Rice with French Beans and Fenugreek Dal

Name: Spiced Brown Rice with French Beans and Fenugreek Dal
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 1 cup brown rice; 2 cups French beans, chopped; 1 cup fenugreek leaves, chopped; 1 cup moong dal; 1 garlic, chopped; 1 onion, chopped; 1 green chilli, chopped; 2 curry leaves; 1 tsp cumin seeds; 2 tbsp oil; 1 tbsp lime juice; 1 tsp ginger garlic paste; 1 tsp garam masala; 1 tsp turmeric; 1 tsp asafetida; salt, as per taste

A wholesome Indian one-pot meal combining nutty brown rice with protein-rich moong dal, crisp French beans, and aromatic fenugreek leaves. The dish features warm spices like garam masala and turmeric, creating a comforting and nutritious meal perfect for family dinners. The combination of textures from tender dal, crisp beans, and hearty rice makes this a satisfying vegetarian option that delivers both flavor and nutrition in every bite.

Prep: 15 min
Cook: 35 min
Yield: 2 servings
Level: medium
Cuisine: Indian

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Ingredients

2 servings

1 cup brown rice
white rice1:1gluten-free
quicker cooking time
Full guide →
2 cups French beans, chopped
green beans1:1seasonal
same preparation method
1 cup fenugreek leaves, chopped
1 cup moong dal
toor dal1:1protein
slightly different flavor
1 garlic, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 green chilli, chopped
2 curry leaves
1 tsp cumin seeds
2 tbsp oil
ghee1:1traditionaladds dairy
richer flavor
Full guide →
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tsp ginger garlic paste
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp asafetida
salt, as per taste

Method

10 steps

1
Cook brown rice and set aside
2
Cook moong dal and set aside
3
Heat oil in pan, add cumin seeds and asafetida
4
Add chopped garlic, curry leaves, onion, ginger garlic paste and green chillies
5
Once onions are translucent, add fenugreek leaves and French beans
6
Cook for 10 minutes
7
Add cooked moong dal with some water
8
Add garam masala, turmeric, salt and lime juice
9
Let dal boil for 15 minutes
10
Serve hot with brown rice

Tips

Tip 1

Rinse brown rice thoroughly before cooking to remove excess starch and achieve better texture.

Tip 2

Cook moong dal until soft but not mushy to maintain some texture in the final dish.

Tip 3

Add fenugreek leaves towards the end of cooking to preserve their fresh flavor and prevent bitterness.

Good to Know

Storage

Refrigerate for up to 3 days in airtight container

Make Ahead

Can prepare dal portion 1 day ahead and reheat before serving

Serve With

Serve hot as main course with yogurt or pickle on the side

Common Mistakes

Watch

Don't overcook French beans to maintain crispness

Watch

Cook dal separately first to ensure even cooking

Watch

Add lime juice at the end to preserve vitamin C

Substitutions

Gluten-Free Swaps

brown rice→

white rice1:1gluten-free

quicker cooking time

Full guide →

General Alternatives

French beans→

green beans1:1seasonal

same preparation method

Full guide →

moong dal→

toor dal1:1protein

slightly different flavor

oil→

ghee1:1traditionaladds dairy

richer flavor

Full guide →

Find more substitutions →

FAQ

Can I use fresh fenugreek instead of leaves?

Yes, use fresh fenugreek leaves for better flavor. Dried fenugreek can be substituted but use half the quantity as it's more concentrated.

What if I don't have garam masala?

Mix equal parts cumin powder, coriander powder, and a pinch of cinnamon and cardamom powder as a substitute for garam masala.

How long does this keep in the fridge?

This dish stays fresh for 3-4 days when stored properly in the refrigerator in an airtight container.