Make Mooga Gathi alias Sprouted Mung The Goan Way, it is a delicious curry that is made without onion and garlic for “Shivrak” days.
“Shivrak” is those days when the traditional Goan do not eat onion or garlic.
The curry Sprouted Mung the Goan way is a traditional dish that finds it’s place in the Goan Menu for festivals, weddings and yes at homes.
The Goans love their non-vegetarian food, the average Goan cannot live without his “nuste” fish. Why not the fish variety we get in Goa is mind-boggling from Shark to Red Snappers from the small sardines to silverfish we have a variety that 365 days you can enjoy different fish and still have more varieties. And you have still to take into account the prawns, crabs, squids, the different shellfish.
But still, there is a minimum of 2 days when the Goan is a strict vegetarian. He will crib say he cannot eat food but still adhere to his tradition. This is the day when Chana Cho Ras was or moonga Gathi, Toi, batat kapa, vangi fodi, Neer Phanas Fodi are made.
Goan Moong gathi is different from the Mangalorean Moonga Gassi.
The flavours and colours are completely different.
- The Goan Moong Ghati is yellow in colour and the Mangalorean one is red.
- In gassi the masala used is coriander seeds, jeera, fenugreek seeds, and pepper along with coconut.
- In the traditional Mugachya Ghati, we use coriander seed, nutmeg, pepper and cloves to grind.
Whatever said or done in the rains when most Goans depend on pulses for a curry for one the rains make it impossible to get veggies and second most people follow the Hindu holy month of Shravan and hence veg food, no onion and no garlic and this sprouted mung is light for digestion and takes care of the protein needs of a person.
Mooga Gathi alias Sprouted Mung The Goan Way is generally relished with poori, chapatti, pav, bread.
I have followed the traditional recipe except for the treatment of the moong.
- The moong is sprouted. How?
Rinse and Soak the moong in water. Keep the water well above the level of the moong. I generally add about 1 or 2 cups of more water. Set aside for 8-10 hours it is okay if the moong stays underwater for 12 hours.
Next, drain the water and you can tie them up in a cloth, put weight and set aside. Let nature work its miracle and you have sprouted moong in the next 12 hours. Use these in any salad, to make a gravy (I make quite a few but apparently none are on the blog).
But in Goa, these sprouted moong are soaked again. The next day the sprouts skin peels off and then the moong is used to make Mooga Ghati.
You can follow this method but I avoid removing the skins as the skins are full of fibre and I have not found any difference in taste.
Moong or green bean is very healthy and recommended for people of all ages. To check the nutritive value do check this site where they speak about why mung bean is good for health.
Mooga Gathi alias Sprouted Mung The Goan Way
Equipment
- Mixer/blender
Ingredients
- 250 grams moong sprouted
- 1 Coconut medium-size(see notes)
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
- 4-5 dried red chillies (see notes)
- ¼ nutmeg jaiphal
- 4 Black Peppercorns
- 2 Cloves
- 3 teaspoon Oil
- ½ teaspoon Mustard seeds
- Curry leaves
- ½ teaspoon Asafoetida Powder
- Salt
- 15 Cashew Nuts
- 10 piece Coconut cut fine
- 1-2 Green chillies
- 1 Tomatoes chopped fine, optional
- 1 tablespoon Coriander leaves
Instructions
- Heat 1 teaspoon oil and fry the coriander seeds, red chillies, pepper and cloves last add the nutmeg. Add the coconut mix well and switch off the flame. (This is my step not traditionally done). Add the haldi/turmeric. Cool.
- Grind the above to a very fine paste. Please note that in Goa all the coconut pastes are ground fine, very fine with minimum water. This was done on the grinding stone now it is done in the mixer.
- Next heat 2 teaspoon of oil and fry the cashew nuts till light brown. Remove and set aside. In the same oil splutter the mustard, add curry leaves, hing/asafoetida.
- Add the moong and stir till the raw smell goes away (about 4-5 minute)on medium flame.
- Add the ground masala and cook till the moong is done. Add the salt.
- Towards the end add the green chillies split in two and add the cashew nuts.
- In case you are using add the tomatoes and switch off the gas.
- Serve garnished with coriander with hot rotis or pav.
Notes
- The medium coconut is about the same quantity of the moong sprouts. If you want a thicker gravy add more coconut.
- Traditional Goan chillies are pungent but do not give the red colour.
This week I have participated in Foodies Redoing old posts and changed my old post.
Do you like this recipe? Have you tried it? In case you do and whenever you do please tag me on Facebook. My Instagram handle is #themadscientistskitchen. You can also use my Twitter handle, Then you are always welcome at my Pinterest page too. I will love to see you there.
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Shama Nagarajan says
delicious inviting recipe
Julie says
Healthy & delicious!!
Ongoing Events of Erivum Puliyum @ Palakkad Chamayal-Fenugreek Leaves OR Green Chillies
Torviewtoronto says
looks wonderful
Torviewtoronto says
looks wonderful
Raksha says
wow, mooga gati looks great. 🙂
Sangeetha Nambi says
Perfect curry for Rotis.... Fingerlicking curry....
http://recipe-excavator.blogspot.com
Chandrani says
Mooga gathi looks spicy and healthy.
Kaveri Venkatesh says
A new recipe..looks delicious....I wonder why the goans remove the skin after sprouting it.
Priya says
Super nutritious gravy,looks irresistible.
Prathima Rao says
The curry is too delicious!!!
Prathima Rao
Prats Corner
Spice up the Curry says
very healthy recipe
Pushpa says
Lots of flavors yummy!!
SM says
tasty healthy recipe
Ramya says
I was looking for a recipe for the Sprouts gravy:-)What a timing..Bookmarked!
Simona says
That bowl looks very nice and I would very much like to have a taste. Thank you so much for contributing to My Legume Love Affair.
Mayuri Patel says
This is an interesting recipe Archana. Mooga Gathi looks so tempting and its a pretty healthy dish too with so many flavors.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Mayuri.
Renu says
I have never heard of soaking the sprouted moong again and this is completely new to me. Plus the curry with coconut and flavoured with jaiphal is another different thing. Yummy and different share.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Renu.
Lathiya says
I love moong dal curry but never tried the Goan version. The curry looks delicious. Will try this soon.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Lathiya.
Poonam Bachhav says
I always use sprouted moong in stir fries and gravies but your Goan version with coconut and without onion garlic sounds healthy and interesting .
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks.
Kalyani says
We use a lot of moong sprouts at home so
I am sure to bookmark and try this. The pics looks fab and Inviting
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks.
Jayashree says
Good to know about the Goan dishes here in your blog. I use sprouts in curry and salad but this is new to me. Looks delicious with all the spices.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks.
sasmita sahoo says
great Goan version curry !! This curry using moong is a lovely idea for festive time as this is without onion n garlic 🙂
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks.
Sneha says
Treat for someone like me from Goa but settled elsewhere ! Love this recipe so much ....
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Sneha. I am glad it helps. Let me know how it goes wit you.
Seema Sriram says
How true, people adhere to what is regional as it is fresh and still make adjustments for special festivals to adhere to culture and tradition. I love this classic goan recipe and will try it.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Seema. Will love your feedback.
Neha says
I liked your Mooga Gathi recipe post. Your twist to the traditional way is highlighted well. I would try out this recipe soon. It is so nice to go through your posts since you have a Goan touch (element) in your recipe posts. Always good to know about different regions' cooking.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Neha. I am staying here for 35 years now and so I am highly influenced by the Goan cooking. Glad you like it for there are many vegetarian Goan food that people do not know about and I would like to showcase it.
Kalyani says
I have had the mangalorean ghassi and made it at home too, and like you mentioned the two dishes are very very different (both in look and taste). Looks like I definitely need to try the Mooga Gathi at home very soon!
ArchanaPotdar says
Yes Ghassi masala and this one are totally different. I have ghassi masala should make some. Thanks.
Priya Srinivasan says
Mooga gathi, loving this hearty side dish with sprouted moong archana! My god those spices, this must be one aromatic curry, I have a pack of sprouted moong in my fridge, i m definitely trying this delish curry!
ArchanaPotdar says
😀