Spicy Mung Beans with Tomato and Onions

Though my favorite bean is probably chickpeas, mung beans are a close second. The addition of fresh tomato and un-fried onion and green chilies add a nice crunch to this spicy dish. I have adapted the recipe from 1000 Indian Recipes. This extensive collection of delights was a gift from my dear friend Susan of The Well Seasoned Cook. As I noted before, this cookbook is not strictly vegetarian, but there are lots of vegan and vegetarian ideas for spice blends, condiments, starters and snacks, soups, salads, vegetables dishes, paneer, legumes, curries, breads, desserts and beverages. I particularly enjoy the wide range of recipes from various regions of India.

Spicy Mung Beans with Tomatoes and Onions

1 cup of mung beans, washed and soaked for a few hours
2 cups of water
1/2 teaspoon of turmeric
1 teaspoon of dried red chilies
1 teaspoon of sea salt
1/2 teaspoon of mango powder (amchoor)
a generous handful of fresh parsley
1 large tomato, finely chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 - 2 fresh green chilies, finely chopped
2 tablespoons of olive or sesame oil
1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
1 tablespoon of ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon of cayenne

Drain the mung beans and rinse. Transfer to a medium size saucepan, along with the water, turmeric, salt and dried red chilies. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium low and cover and simmer until the liquid is absorbed - roughly 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Stir in the mango powder and parsley and transfer to a serving dish. Gently mix in the tomato, onion and green chillies.

Heat the oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. When hot, toss in the cumin seeds and stir and fry until they darken a few shades. Add the coriander and cayenne, stir a few times and pour over the mung beans.

Serves 4 - 6.

Other Mung Bean dishes that you will be sure to enjoy from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:
Mung Bean Paneer
Spicy Mung Bean Soup with Coconut Milk
Indian Sour Mung Bean Soup
Savory Mung Bean Pancakes

On the top of the reading stack: Silk Road Cooking: A Vegetarian Journey by Najmieh Batmanglij

Audio Accompaniment: Kwark