Mugachi Usal | Instant Pot Sprouted Moong Curry

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Mugachi Usal or Sprouted moong curry is a quick, simple and nutritious Maharashtrian curry made using sprouted moong in an Instant Pot. 

This easy Maharashtrian curry is a staple in everyday cooking and a part of the daily diet. This scrumptious curry is simmered with a few spices, along with onions and veggies to make a wholesome lunch or dinner.

This curry can be made in Instant Pot, pressure cooker, or even on a stove top.

I recently found something similar to this and I am hooked to the recipe. Zesty Butter beans and as the name suggests it uses butter to get the creamy texture. This comes out so delicious with all that butter and spices, that I enjoy it as is as a meal.

How to enjoy Mugachi Usal

It goes well with simple chapati or poli. One can even pair it with some hot steaming rice.

Jazz it up a bit with some onion and farsan and you can make usal pav a famous Maharashtrian breakfast recipe, similar to Maharashtrian Spicy Misal. 

Below is a picture of everyday Maharashtrian Thali, or how we enjoy Mugachi Usal. If you are looking for a more elaborative thali, check this post of Vegetarian Maharashtrian Thali from my blog.

Posting a recipe for this Usal was long in my mind, ever since I posted my elaborate Vegetarian Maharashtrian Thali. However, it did not work. But when Poonam from Annapurna asked us to make a dish from Maharashtrian Cuisine and when Narmadha from Cook with Nams, gave me the secret ingredients like ginger and coconut, I decided to make this Sprouted Moong Curry. While Narmadha cooked yummy batata poha Poonam made some yummy Tondli Bhat. I have to check Poonam’s Maharashtrian Kanda Khobra Vatan/Onion Coconut Curry Base and prepare it soon.

Goda masala the quintessential spice from Maharashtrian Cuisine

This recipe uses goda masala. Goda Masala is a typical aromatic spice blend from Maharashtrian cuisine. Many curries and vegetables use this masala. It gives it a typical taste and elevates each dish.

If you do not have goda masala, you can replace it with Kanda Lasoon Masala or Kala masala. Goda masala would have some differences in spices used and hence the flavor would differ. 

What is needed to make this sprouted moong curry?

A little planning and a few pantry staple ingredients and you are done. At times planning is not needed too, read on below to see how?

Planning because we would need moong sprouts. Making moong sprouts at home takes 1-3 days depending on the weather. I always sprout my moong and many different beans at home. I do not use any special vessel, just a plain kitchen towel. Check this post if you like to know how to Sprout Moong beans at home. 

If you live in a hot and humid climate it generally takes a day or max two. But if you are in a more cold climate it can take 2-3 days.

However, one good thing I would like to share is you can sprout moong in bulk and freeze them. When needed just use as required. I do this often and saves me time. It becomes an easy lunch or dinner option when I do not have any fresh vegetables. 

Few points while making sprouts at home

• Moong needs to be cleaned and rinsed thoroughly.
• Soak it for a good 6-8 hours.
• If living in a cold climate, soak them in lukewarm water. 
• Use a clean kitchen towel to make sprouts.
• Do check the sprouts every day. If they have not sprouted the next day or appear to be too dry, sprinkle a little water on them and cover again.
• At times if you keep it longer they may get bad. Discard if this is the case.
• Once sprouted, use as required or deep freeze it.

Check this detailed post with step-by-step pics on how to Sprout Moong beans at home

2 Ways of making this Usal

This mugachi usal in Instant pot uses onion, tomato, and coconut. Typically a paste of onion, tomato, coconut, and coriander is made called vatan. This vatan is used as the base in many of the recipes. It comes in handy for busy days or for everyday cooking.

Generally, I make fresh masala and hence have not used vatan. I sauteed and thoroughly cooked the masala before adding the sprouted moongs. I have also not grounded the masala. One can use it either way.

Dietary recommendations

This is a Vegan and dairy-free recipe. If you are using goda masala, check the ingredients for gluten-free. It would have asafoetida and store-bought asafoetida has wheat powder in it.

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Mugachi Usal | Instant Pot Sprouted Moong Curry

Mugachi Usal or Sprouted moong curry is a quick, simple and nutritious Maharashtrian curry made using sprouted moong in an Instant Pot.

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Maharashtrian

Keyword: Curry, Legumes / Beans / Pulses

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 minute minute

Servings: 4 Servings

Author: Renu Agrawal-Dongre

Equipment

• Instant Pot
• Pressure Cooker
• Spoon
• Grater
• Knife
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Measuring Cups

Ingredients

• 1 Cup Sprouted moong
• 1 small tomato chopped
• 1 onion chopped
• 3 tablespoon of fresh coconut grated
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon Goda masala
• 2 tablespoon oil
• 1 tablespoon ginger grated or ½ tablespoon paste
• 1 tablespoon garlic grated or ½ tablespoon paste
• 2-3 Green chillies – As per taste
• 5-6 curry leaves
• 2 cup water
• 2 tablespoon chopped coriander
• Salt

Instructions

Instant Pot method

• Switch on the Instant Pot.
• Put it on saute mode for 20 minutes.
• Add oil.
  2 tablespoon oil
• Once hot add mustard seeds and curry leaves.
  1 teaspoon mustard seeds, 5-6 curry leaves
  
• Let the mustard seeds splutter.
• Then add onion, ginger, green chilly and garlic.
  1 onion chopped, 1 tablespoon ginger grated or ½ tablespoon paste, 1 tablespoon garlic grated or ½ tablespoon paste, 2-3 Green chillies
  
• Add grated coconut
  3 tablespoon of fresh coconut grated
• Saute until the onion is translucent.
  
• Add tomatoes, goda masala, turmeric powder, red chili powder and a little salt.
  1 small tomato chopped, 1 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon red chili powder, 1 teaspoon Goda masala, Salt
  
• Let the masala cook for 4-5 minutes until it starts leaving edges or you feel it is done.
• At times the masala might stick to the bottom, add a few tablespoons of water and continue cooking.
• Add sprouts, water, salt, coriander.
  1 Cup Sprouted moong, 2 cup water, Salt, 2 tablespoon chopped coriander
  
• Mix everything.
  
• Close the instant pot lid and cancel the saute mode.
• Put the instant pot on a pressure-cook mode in sealing mode for 1 minute.
  
• Once done let the pressure release naturally.
• Open the lid once the pin has dropped.

Pressure Cooker method

• Switch on the stove and put on the pressure cooker without the lid.
• Add oil.
  2 tablespoon oil
• Once hot add mustard seeds and curry leaves.
  1 teaspoon mustard seeds, 5-6 curry leaves
• Let the mustard seeds splutter.
• Then add onion, ginger, green chilly and garlic.
  1 onion chopped, 1 tablespoon ginger grated or ½ tablespoon paste, 2-3 Green chillies, 1 tablespoon garlic grated or ½ tablespoon paste
• Add grated coconut
  3 tablespoon of fresh coconut grated
• Saute until the onion is translucent.
• Add tomatoes, goda masala, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and a little salt.
  1 small tomato chopped, 1 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon red chili powder, 1 teaspoon Goda masala, Salt
• Let the masala cook for 4-5 minutes until it starts leaving edges or you feel it is done.
• At times the masala might stick to the bottom, add a few tablespoons of water and continue cooking.
• Add sprouts, water, salt, coriander powder and mix everything.
  1 Cup Sprouted moong, 2 cup water, Salt, 2 tablespoon chopped coriander
• Close the lid and cook it for 1-2 whistles or according to your pressure cooker settings. (Sprouts need less cooking time and generally take less whistles.i).
• Once done let the pressure release naturally.
• Open the lid.
• Serve it with roti or steamed rice.

Notes

• Standard US Size Cups and Spoons Used
• Measurements are just a guide, one can change as per your taste
• Video to be added soon

 

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Disclaimer: I am not a nutritionist. The nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It varies depending upon the product types or brands.

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