Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1      pound         green beans -- trimmed
                        salt to taste
     1/2  teaspoon      turmeric
   1      tablespoon    corn oil
   1      tablespoon    chana dal
   1      tablespoon    urad dal
     1/2  tablespoon    mustard seeds
     1/2  tablespoon    cumin seeds
   3      whole         red chile peppers -- crushed
     1/2  tablespoon    curry leaves -- (optional)
   2      tablespoons   coconut -- shredded,
                        -- unsweetened

Preparation:

Cut beans, crosswise, into 1/4 inch pieces. Boil with salt and turmeric until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside. Heat oil in a small saucepan or skillet. When oil is hot, lower heat and add chana dal, urad dal, mustard seeds, cumin, chile peppers and, if using, curry leaves. Stir, cooking until dal turns golden and mustard seeds pop. Remove from heat, add coconut, stir for a minute and mix into green beans. Serve warm.