This delicious mung bean curry is a healthier version of South Indian (Kerala-style) green gram curry made with nutritious moong sprouts and coconut.
No time for sprouting? Just soak moong beans and use. You can make this simple mung bean coconut curry with mega flavors using very few spices.
mustard seeds chili powder coriander powder turmeric powder salt cumin seeds onions garlic
mung beans lemon juice coconut oil grated coconut chilies curry leaves coriander
If you're sprouting the beans, rinse and soak dried mung beans in water for about 6 hours. If not, soak for 4 hours.
Drain the water from the soaked beans. Use a wet kitchen cloth to cover the bowl and secure with a rubberband.
Leave the bowl in a warm corner of the kitchen overnight or for a minimum of 9 hours. If you don't see sprouts, cover again for a couple of hours more.
If you're using a pressure cooker, add the beans with 2 cups of water, secure the lid and cook for 3 whistles.
If cooking in a pot, boil the beans with 3 cups of water. Top up with hot water if it starts sticking to the bottom. Cook until soft, which would take about 20 to 25 minutes.
When the onions turn translucent, stir in the cooked mung beans. and the spices. Add water if the curry is too thick.
Blend grated coconut (or chunks of fresh coconut) with cumin seeds, garlic and water. Make a coarse paste. DO NOT grind all the way until smooth.
Add the blended coconut cumin paste to the simmering curry. Mix well and let it simmer for 5 more minutes on low flame.
Turn off the flame when the curry reaches the desired consistency. Finish off with a splash of lemon juice (for the tang) and a sprinkling of coriander leaves.
Saute until oil separates from the mixture and everything comes together. Add water and set the flame to high.
Serve this delicious mung bean coconut curry on a bed of plain boiled white/brown rice. It also tastes great with any Indian bread like naan or roti.
Moong sprouts curry also tastes amazing with rice and a spicy side like these tandoori cauliflower bites: An easy oven-baked tandoori gobi recipe the whole family will love!