Kwati – a nutritious and a flavorful mixed bean stew perfect during any season. Yes, that’s what I am going to share today, a Sikkim /Nepal fame recipe. You can make this seven bean soup/stew well ahead for your work week or party/potluck. Here is a quick instant pot version of the same with video instructions.
Before getting into the Instant Pot Kwati recipe, let me share few things about Sikkim. Sikkim is bordered by Nepal, Bhutan, China, and West Bengal. It is known for its biodiversity, and also we are aware that the highest peak in India, Kanchenjunga is in Sikkim.
As wiki puts it, Nepalese cuisine is very popular in Sikkim because Sikkim is the only state of India with an ethnic Nepali majority. So this stew, kwati, is a traditional Nepali stew, which is also popular in Sikkim.
When I was searching for legume recipes from Sikkim, I landed upon Varada’s blog who already did the above research and made my job super easy.
This mixed bean stew has become my most favorite dish these days, and I am sure I will be making this again and again, especially during winter. This Instant Pot kwati is a perfect lunch box recipe, too.
We enjoyed it with some rustic baguette and oh boy it was so yum. I shared this with my music class friends and teacher, and they liked it as well. I need to agree that the ½ tsp of carom seeds does some magic. :-) Be it summer or winter; this stew will be a winner in any parties, and this is a keeper recipe for sure. :-)
Here is the quick video recipe of the same. Please subscribe to my YouTube channel and stay tuned for the new recipes.
Recap:
- 2015 | Day 15 – ButternutSquash Sauce for Pasta
- 2016 | Day 15 – Chivda
- 2017 | Day 15 – Instant Pot Kwati | Mixed Bean Stew
Instant Pot Kwati | Mixed Bean Stew
A Sikkim special, nutritious, and a flavorful mixed bean stew.
Ingredients:
- Black Eyed Peas – 2 tbsps
- Green Moong Beans – 2 tbsps
- Garbanzo Beans – 2 tbsps
- Moth Beans – 2 tbsps
- Soy Beans- 2 tbsps
- Kidney Beans – 2 tbsps
- Black Gram – 2 tbsps
- Oil – 1 tsp+ 1 tsp
- Onion – 1
- Ginger – 1-inch piece
- Garlic Cloves – 2
- Tomato – 3
- Water – 2 cups
- Fennel Seeds – 1 tsp
- Carom Seeds – ½ tsp
- Mustard Seeds – 1 tsp
- Cumin Seeds – 1 tsp
- Cumin Powder – 1 tsp
- Coriander Powder – 1 tsp
- Turmeric Powder – ½ tsp
- Red Chili Powder – 1 tsp
- Garam Masala – ¼ tsp
- Salt – 2 tsps
- Cilantro to garnish
Prep-work:
- Wash all the beans and soak them for 6 to 8 hours.
- Chop the onion, ginger, and tomatoes.
Steps:
Instant Pot Method:
- Set the IP in saute mode and add one tsp of oil.
- Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onions, garlic cloves, and chopped ginger.
- Saute until the onion turns translucent.
- Turn the IP off. Let the onion mix cool and grind it into a smooth paste.
- Now turn the IP on and set it to saute mode and add the remaining one tsp of oil.
- Next, add the mustard seeds, carom seeds, cumin seeds, and fennel seeds.
- Saute for a minute and add the ground onion mix. Combine all and then add the tomatoes.
- Mix them once and then add all the dry masalas one by one, coriander powder, cumin powder, red chili powder, garam masala powder, turmeric powder. Also, add the salt.
- Stir it and then add the washed and soaked beans.
- Pour 2 cups of water and combine the ingredients.
- Now set the IP in manual mode for 10 minutes and let the pressure release naturally.
- Once the pressure is released, carefully open the lid and mix the stew. Garnish it with cilantro and serve warm or cold.
Also…
Pressure Cooker Method:
- Pressure cook the washed and soaked beans by adding 2 cups of water for up three whistles.
- Let the pressure drop and set the beans aside. Do not discard the water.
- Meanwhile, heat a pan or kadai and add oil.
- Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onions, garlic cloves, and chopped ginger.
- Saute until the onion turns translucent.
- Let the onion mix cool and grind it into a smooth paste.
- Heat the kadai again and add the remaining one tsp of oil.
- Next, add the mustard seeds, carom seeds, cumin seeds, and fennel seeds.
- Saute for a minute and add the ground onion mix. Combine all and then add the tomatoes.
- Mix them once and then add all the dry masalas one by one, coriander powder, cumin powder, red chili powder, garam masala powder, turmeric powder. Also, add the salt.
- Stir it and then add the cooked beans.
- Combine all the ingredients and let it simmer for 10 minutes. That’s it.
- Garnish it with cilantro and serve warm or cold.
Notes:
- You can use any beans and also vary the proportion as per your preference.
- Make sure the beans are not too mushy while cooking. The whole beans add a nice texture to the stew.
- But if you prefer a nice mushy/creamy texture, then you can pressure cook for 15 minutes. Add one more cup of water in that case.
- Adjust the salt and spices as per your preference.
📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Kwati | Mixed Bean Stew
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Black Eyed Peas
- 2 tbsp Green Moong Beans
- 2 tbsp Garbanzo Beans
- 2 tbsp Moth Beans
- 2 tbsp Soy Beans
- 2 tbsp Kidney Beans
- 2 tbsp Black Gram
- 2 Oil 1 tsp + 1 tsp, divided
- 1 Onion chopped
- 1 inch Ginger
- 2 Garlic Cloves chopped
- 3 Tomato chopped
- 2 cups Water
- 1 tsp Fennel Seeds
- ½ tsp Carom Seeds
- 1 tsp Mustard Seeds
- 1 tsp Cumin Seeds
- 1 tsp Cumin Powder
- 1 tsp Coriander Powder
- ½ tsp Turmeric Powder
- 1 tsp Red Chili Powder
- ¼ tsp Garam Masala
- 2 tsp Salt
- 2 tbsp Cilantro chopped, to garnish
Instructions
Prep-work
- Wash all the beans and soak them for 6 to 8 hours.
- Chop the onion, ginger, and tomatoes.
Steps
Instant Pot Method
- Set the IP in saute mode and add one tsp of oil.
- Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onions, garlic cloves, and chopped ginger.
- Saute until the onion turns translucent.
- Turn the IP off. Let the onion mix cool and grind it into a smooth paste.
- Now turn the IP on and set it to saute mode and add the remaining one tsp of oil.
- Next add the mustard seeds, carom seeds, cumin seeds and fennel seeds.
- Saute for a minute and add the ground onion mix. Combine all together and then add the tomatoes.
- Mix them once and then add all the dry masalas one by one, coriander powder, cumin powder, red chili powder, garam masala powder, turmeric powder. Also, add the salt.
- Stir it and then add the washed and soaked beans.
- Pour 2 cups of water and combine the ingredients.
- Now set the IP in manual mode for 10 minutes and let the pressure release naturally.
- Once the pressure is released, carefully open the lid and mix the stew. Garnish it with cilantro and serve warm or cold.
Pressure Cooker Method
- Pressure cook the washed and soaked beans by adding 2 cups of water for up 3 whistles.
- Let the pressure drop and set the beans aside. Do not discard the water.
- Meanwhile, heat a pan or kadai and add oil.
- Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onions, garlic cloves, and chopped ginger.
- Saute until the onion turns translucent.
- Let the onion mix cool and grind it into a smooth paste.
- Heat the kadai again and add the remaining one tsp of oil.
- Next add the mustard seeds, carom seeds, cumin seeds and fennel seeds.
- Saute for a minute and add the ground onion mix. Combine all together and then add the tomatoes.
- Mix them once and then add all the dry masalas one by one, coriander powder, cumin powder, red chili powder, garam masala powder, turmeric powder. Also, add the salt.
- Stir it and then add the cooked beans.
- Combine all the ingredients and let it simmer for 10 minutes. That's it.
- Garnish it with cilantro and serve warm or cold.
Video
Notes
- You can use any beans and also vary the proportion as per your preference.
- Make sure the beans are not too mushy while cooking. The whole beans add a nice texture to the stew. But if you prefer nice mushy/creamy texture, then you can pressure cook for 15 minutes. Add one more cup of water in that case.
- Adjust the salt and spices as per your preference. Adapted from Varada’s Kitchen
Nutrition
I am not a nutritionist. The nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It varies depending upon the product types or brands.
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Thats one interesting dish and protein packed.With breads it would pair well.
Yes very true Nalini.
cute mini pots to serve the beans soup. Nice pick from authentic sikkim recipes.
:-) Thanks Ruchi.
I’m a big fan of bean soups now and this recipe looks pretty good. I don’t know when I’m going to catch up with all my bookmarked recipes but I’m adding this one onto the list. By the way we went to Sikkim for our honeymoon. So it has it special spot in my mind
oh nice… Of course it’s a special spot for you. And tell me about the bookmarked ones. I have a huge list as well. Thanks Rajani
Love this delicious stew with various beans. Love your cute mini pots.. so good.
Thanks Preeti.
A delightful looking stew and that too with 7 beans…awesome. Bookmarked this recipe as I love the variety of spices used. I always add at least half or quarter tsp of carom seeds to all the beans dishes as my granny used to tell us that it prevents gas formation and bloatiness in the stomach.
I totally agree about carom seeds. :-) Thanks Mayuri. Please do try it out.
This stew must have tasted awesome with all the varieties of dal. Definitely a must try in winter to keep ourself warm
Yeah :-) Thanks Ann
Mixed beans must have tasted amazing on the stew. I am loving your IP pulses and legumes recipes.
Thanks a lot Sapana.
Wow what a portein packed stew. Love it. Simple yet yummy.
Thanks :-)
Wow all your instant pot recipes are rocking Srividhya, this one looks like a stunner and no wonder you have been fond of this..Even though the ingredient list seems longer, I am sure it is worth all the efforts!..great share..and I am surprised you were able to get all these so easily..:)
Thanks a lot Valli. I know the list is long, but you can use any available seven legumes. I just went with what I had in my pantry.
With seven types of beans, it is surely protein loaded stew. Looks amazing Vidhya.
Thanks a lot Gayathri.
Seriously this Kwati is my kind of food, lovely medley of beans went in it. And the stew looks extremely nutritious with pleasant colour. Loving it.
Thanks much Priya.
That is such a wholesome dish and with baguettes would have been awesome! Love your lentil series Vidhya! And such cute serveware!
Thanks :-)
Just awesome.. Cant resist this yummy stew.. It has got almost all kinds of protein !! Lovely share dear..
Thank you, sharmila
Wow ! This stew is a proper protein punch ! Really a excellent pick ! It is hard to get authentic Sikkim recipes , after visiting the state I have a couple of interesting recipes from there . Would love to cook this as well .
Thanks a lot Vaishali. Authentic sikkim recipes were hard to find. Have you posted those?