Matki Usal

Matki Usal

Matki Usal

Veg Vegan

Moth beans (matki) — soaked and briefly sprouted until their tails just emerge, then cooked in a thin, spiced curry with tomatoes, onion, and a freshly ground dry coconut masala, finished with kokum or tamarind. The most protein-rich of Maharashtra's legume dishes, matki usal is the backbone of the Pune working-class lunch and the base of the iconic misal pav.

Cuisines

Malvani Vidarbha Kolhapuri Maharashtrian

Best for

Breakfast Lunch

Build a full meal around Matki Usal

Get a matched combo of sides and accents

Recipe

Prep: 10 min Cook: 30 min Total: 40 min 2-3 servings

Ingredients

Moth Bean 1 cup Moth Bean
oil 2 tablespoons Oil
Mustard Seed 1 teaspoon Mustard Seed
Cumin 1 teaspoon Cumin , seeds
asafoetida 1 pinch Asafoetida
Onion 1 medium Onion , finely chopped
Tomato 1 medium Tomato , finely chopped
ginger-garlic paste 2 teaspoons Ginger-garlic paste
turmeric powder 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder
red chili powder 1 teaspoon Red chili powder
Godaa Masala 2 teaspoons Godaa Masala , or garam masala
to taste salt To taste
water 1 cup Water
Cilantro 2 tablespoons Cilantro , chopped

Instructions

  1. 1 Wash and soak the matki (moth beans) in water for 6-8 hours or overnight.
  2. 2 Drain the soaked matki and set aside.
  3. 3 Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
  4. 4 Add mustard seeds and let them splutter.
  5. 5 Add cumin seeds and asafoetida, sauté for a few seconds.
  6. 6 Add the chopped onion and sauté until golden brown.
  7. 7 Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté until the raw smell disappears.
  8. 8 Add chopped tomato and cook until it turns soft.
  9. 9 Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, and godaa masala, and sauté for a minute.
  10. 10 Add the soaked matki and mix well.
  11. 11 Add salt and water, stir to combine.
  12. 12 Cover and cook on low heat until the matki is cooked and the water is absorbed, about 15-20 minutes.
  13. 13 Garnish with fresh coriander leaves before serving.

Tips

For a richer flavor, you can add a tablespoon of freshly grated coconut towards the end of cooking.