Mum’s Green Beans Curry with Gadra Beans (How My Mum Makes It – Episode 9)
If you grew up in a South African Indian home, there’s a good chance you’ve had a simple vegetable curry like this on the dinner table. Mum’s Green Beans Curry with Gadra Beans is one of those comforting, everyday recipes that’s full of flavour, made with fresh seasonal ingredients and a handful of pantry spices.
This dry-style curry is cooked without adding any water, allowing the onions, tomatoes and vegetables to release their natural moisture while slowly cooking into a beautifully rich masala. The result is tender green beans, creamy gadra beans and a dish that’s perfect served with rice, rotis, dosa or even fresh bread.
This recipe is part of my How My Mum Makes It series, where my mum shares the traditional South African Indian recipes she’s been making for years. I provide the voiceover while she demonstrates each recipe, preserving the authentic methods and flavours that have been passed down through our family.
What Are Green Beans?
Green beans, also known as string beans, French beans or snap beans, are one of the most popular vegetables used in South African Indian cooking. They have a mild flavour and tender-crisp texture, making them the perfect ingredient for curries, breyanis and vegetable side dishes.
In this recipe, the green beans slowly cook alongside the gadra beans without any added water, allowing them to absorb the aromatic spices while retaining their natural sweetness. Combined with the creamy gadra beans, they create a wholesome, hearty curry that’s simple, nutritious and full of flavour.
What Are Gadra Beans?
Gadra beans are the South African Indian name for fresh borlotti beans, also known as cranberry beans or Roman beans. Unlike dried beans, gadra beans are removed from their pods while still fresh and are recognised by their beautiful cream-coloured skin with pink and purple speckles.
They’re a seasonal favourite in many South African Indian households and are commonly found at fresh produce markets, greengrocers and selected supermarkets. Once cooked, they become soft and creamy with a mild, slightly nutty flavour, making them the perfect addition to vegetable curries.
If you’d like to reduce the cooking time, you can steam or boil the gadra beans before adding them to the curry. Otherwise, simply cook them from fresh until tender.
