Mung beans is a staple dinner and on a high rotation for a few good reasons. It cooks fast, super nutritious and is loved by everyone in my family. To make dinner even faster I throw in some veggies to make it a one pot meal. Serve it with any carb you prefer or make it a little thinner as a soup and you have a healthy weeknight meal in a jiffy.
Ingredients
- Whole green mung beans 1.5 cups (soaked in warm water for 2 hours or overnight and cooked till soft but not mushy)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic, about 4 cloves
- 1 tablespoon grape seed or any neutral oil
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger, about a 2 “knob
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 2-3 Roma sized tomatoes chopped about a cup
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder or Garam masala
- 2 hot green chillies or 1/2-1 teaspoon cayenne pepper ( use to your heat tolerance)
- 3 cups baby organic spinach finely chopped
- 1/2 cup mixed herbs; Cilantro, fenugreek and dill mix. (I use less of dill, not fond of its string flavor, you use any combination you prefer)
- A little coconut milk or cream to garnish and richness (optional)
In a sauce pan warm the oil, add cumin seeds and fry till they sizzle. Next add chopped onions and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add garlic and ginger and sauté further till fragrant. Next add the chopped spinach, cook till it wilts followed by tomatoes, cumin powder or Garam masala, turmeric, salt, chili powder, and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the cooked Mung beans. Mix well. Add a little water to thin out as needed. Bring everything back to a boil and lower the heat and simmer till the lentils soft and stewy. You may need more water. Serve garnished a little coconut or cream (optional). Serve with cooked quinoa or rice.
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