Kwati, literally meaning, hot soup (Kwa – hot and ti - soup), is an thick stew which have both ritual significance and health benefits. It is a traditional Nepalese dish consumed on the festival of Gun Punhi (Janai Purnima). Kwati is made with nine types of sprouted beans which contains black eye peas, cow peas, black lentils, chickpeas, adzuki, soybeans, mung dal, green peas and favas. It is high in protein so it is considered good to be given to sick people to gain strength.

Let’s start making some Kwati:

Preparation Time: 1 Day (To soak the beans)

Cook Time: 30 mins

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups dry mixed beans
• 4 tbsp Mustard Oil
• 2-3 Bay leaf
• 1 tsp Coriander Powder ( Dhania)
• 1 tsp Cumin Powder ( Zeera)
• 1 tsp Red Chilli Powder
• 1 tsp Turmeric Powder ( Haldi)
• 5 cloves Garlic and 1″ Ginger - Made into a paste
• 1 tsp Oregano (Lovage seeds / Ajwain / Jwano)
• 1 tsp butter (ghee)
• 1 Medium Onion
• 1 tsp garam masala
• Salt to Taste

SOURCE

METHOD:

• In a large bowl , soak the beans overnight. Drain the water and keep aside (Some people also keep it for 2-3 days till it sprouts.)
• Heat the oil in pressure cooker.
• Put bay leaf, onion.
• After onion gets golden brown color, add mixed beans.
• Add turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, red chilli powder, garlic and ginger paste, salt and fry for 2-3 minutes till beans are nicely coated with all the masalas.
• Add 5 cups of water to the cooker and pressure cook for 20-25 mins.
• Release the steam and check that the beans are cooked till they are tender.
• At this point of time, most of the water would have dried up. Add about 2 cups of warm water, add garam masala and mix it thoroughly and boil it for couple of minutes till you get the desired consistency. Depending upon your preference, the soup can be made thicker or thinner.
• Now heat up a pan, add butter and lovage seeds, until it gets dark brown color.
• Pour this into the pressure cooker with kwati and mix well.
• Garnish with chopped green onions (coriander leaves) and serve on a bowl or with rice.

P.S: If you are not into vegetable soup, you could add cooked/boiled meat into the soup as well. Enjoy a tasty and healthy soup!!