Kousenband met Kokos
The Quirky Foodster Team
Ingredients
- Yardlong beans (kousenband), trimmed and cut into 5cm lengths — 400 g (14 oz)
- Coconut milk — 250 ml (1 cup)
- Small Onion, sliced — 1
- Garlic, minced — 2 cloves
- Red chilli, sliced, to taste — 1
- Vegetable oil — 1 tbsp
- Salt — to taste
Method
- Heat the oil in a saucepan and saute the onion and garlic until soft and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- Add the chilli and cook 1 minute more.
- Add the beans and coconut milk, stir to combine, and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cover and cook 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender but still have a slight bite and the coconut milk has reduced slightly.
- Season with salt to taste and serve warm.
Introduction: Kousenband, or yardlong beans, are a staple vegetable in Surinamese Javanese and Hindustani cooking, prized for their firm texture.
Cultural Background: Kousenband, or yardlong beans, are a staple vegetable in Surinamese Javanese and Hindustani cooking, prized for their firm texture. Simmered gently in coconut milk with onion and a touch of chilli, this side dish shows the strong Indonesian and South Asian influence on Surinamese vegetable cookery and is a common accompaniment to rice-based mains.
Tips: Don’t let the coconut milk boil hard, or it can split; keep it at a gentle simmer. Cut the beans to a uniform length so they cook evenly. Regular green beans can be substituted if yardlong beans are unavailable, with a slightly shorter cooking time.
Variations: Add a few dried shrimp for extra savoury depth, common in Javanese-Surinamese kitchens. Stir in a spoonful of sambal at the end for extra heat. This dish is naturally vegan and vegetarian as written.
Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, adding a splash of water or coconut milk if needed.
FAQs:
Q: What are yardlong beans?
A: Also called Chinese long beans or kousenband in Dutch, they are a slender green bean that can grow up to half a metre long, with a slightly firmer, less watery texture than standard green beans.
Q: Can I use light coconut milk?
A: Yes, though the sauce will be thinner and less rich; simmer a little longer to reduce and thicken it if needed.
Q: What mains pair well with this side?
A: It works well alongside Chicken Curry Roti, Nasi Goreng, or grilled Sateh.
- Yardlong beans (kousenband), trimmed and cut into 5cm lengths — 400 g (14 oz)
- Coconut milk — 250 ml (1 cup)
- Small Onion, sliced — 1
- Garlic, minced — 2 cloves
- Red chilli, sliced, to taste — 1
- Vegetable oil — 1 tbsp
- Salt — to taste
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