Guvar Nu Shaak

• Healthy meal or side dish
• Quick to make (10 minute prep, 15 minute cooking time)
• Vegetarian, Vegan (Gluten-free if you skip hing)
• Only need a handful of simple Indian spices  

Guvar, guar or gawar means cluster beans. In Gujarati, shaak is a dish made of vegetables and spices.  So, there are many shaak recipes such as bhinda nu shaak (okra) or gobi matar (peas and cauliflower).

Cluster beans or guar beans are native to India and can be found easily in Indian grocery stores.  While they look similar to French Beans they are different.  Cluster beans are smaller, thinner and have a slight bitter taste while French beans are longer, thicker and do no have a bitte taste.

Don’t let the distinct taste of these beans deter you from this yummy simple gawar recipe.  Guvar nu shaak is no where near as bitter as karela and karela nu shaak can be pretty yummy, if made correctly!

Ingredients

Cluster beans: the ends of the beans should be removed and then the bean chopped into small about ¼- ½ inch size pieces

Oil: neutral cooking oil, which will be used for tadka

Spices: commonly used Indian spices are needed that you likely have in your masala dabba

Red chili powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder,  coriander powder (I use a dhana jeeru blend), salt and sugar

Optional: Garlic cloves (I love adding it!) and chopped cilantro/ coriander leaves for garnish

Note: Tadka can be made of cumin seeds or mustard seeds as well. However, ajwain provides a great complementary taste to gawar beans.

Making Gawar Recipe

First, you will steam the guvar (chopped cluster beans) with a little water as they can have a bit of a tough exterior

Then, in the same pot you will add spices.  Sprinkle the spices on top of the cluster beans, don’t mix. This is because you will pour the tadka on top to enhance the flavor the spices in the sabzi.

Next, prepare the tadka and pour on top of the spices all around the dish. Mix and let cover a few minutes. 

Note: if you are adding garlic, add the finely chopped garlic after you add the ajwain to the tadka.

Last, top with chopped cilantro / coriander (optional) and this simple side dish is ready!

Note: if you prefer, you can use a pressure cooker or Instant Pot to cook the guvar beans as well.

Serving suggestions

Guvar nu shaak tastes great with warm roti or other Indian breads and basmati rice / jeera rice. Often shaaks (vegetable dishes) are also served with dals for a complete meal.

If you’d like to serve multiple shaaks as part of a Gujarati thali, peas cauliflower nu shaak or bhinda nu shaak are two other very easy ones you can make. Others include karela nu shaak or bharela bhinda. Shaaks are generally a simple recipe to follow. Shalgam sabzi (Indian turnip recipe) is also an easy and delicious.

During mango season, you can also serve some mango ras on the side! Or try one of many Indian ice creams such as kesar pista ice cream.

You can make gawar ki sabzi and freeze it.  Make sure to store in a freezer safe container or bag.  Move to the fridge the night before serving to defrost.  Reheat in a pan on low heat before serving.