Matkichi Usal / Maharashtrian Style Sprouted Moth Beans Gravy

                         

Matkichi Usal is a spicy flavorful gravy dish from Maharashtrian Cuisine that is made using sprouted moth beans, known as Matki in Marathi. The base of the Matkichi Usal is made using Kanda Khobra Vatan ( a curry base made using roasted and ground oinion, coconut and basic Indian spices) and the color and authentic taste comes from the Goda masala. Matkichi usal can be made as a dry stir fry (usal) or a gravy dish like this one which if often referred to as Amti. Amti is a thin tangy and spicy in taste and  Matkichi Usal served with steamed rice is quintessential part of the Maharashtrian wedding menu especially in the rural parts of Maharashtra. It can be served with bajra , jowar roti or wheat chapati and steamed rice.  

What is Matkichi Usal ?

As mentioned above, matki is the Marathi name for sprouted moth beans and usal is a lentil or legume stir fry in Maharashtrian style. Matkichi usal, aka sprouted moth beans can be made as a simple dry stir-fry or as a thin, spicy tangy curry dish known as Amti. Today, I am sharing the amti version of Matkichi usal. Moth beans are soaked in water overnight , then tied in a clean Kitchen towel and kept in a warm place allowing the moth beans to sprout. The sprouted moth beans are then stir fried and cooked in a Maharashtrian kanda khobra vatan flavored with goda masala to make this utterly delicious and lip-smacking Matkichi usal. 

In case, you are looking for more recipes using sprouts, you would love to check out this Sprouted Moong Pulao from my blogger friend Swaty's space that is next on my to do list. You might also want to try a healthy and nutritious Moong sprout salad , a quick , easy and refreshing salad with spouted moong beans as key ingredient. 

Healthy Benefits of adding beans into our daily diet:

Beans are nutritional powerhouses packed with protein, fiber, B vitamins, iron, potassium, and are low in fat. Studies have shown that people who eat more legumes have a lower risk of heart disease. Beans can not only lower cholesterol and help manage diabetes ,but they also can fight cancer and help you loose weight. Sprouted moth beans are a rich source of protein, calcium and dietary fiber which plays a major role in building stronger muscles and protecting gut health.

Dietary Notes: Matkichi Usal is

• Vegetarian side dish
• Vegan
• Can be made gluten-free
• Healthy and delicious
• Flavorful spouted moth beans dish
• Authentic Maharashtrian dish

Ingredients for Matkichi Usal / amti

• 1 1/2 cup Sprouted Moth Beans / Matki
• 1/3 cup Kanda Khobra Vatan (roasted Onion coconut Curry base)
• 1 1/2 cup hot water
• 1 large Onion , finely chopped
• 1 Tomato, finely chopped
• 1 sprig Curry Leaves
• 1 tablespoon peanuts
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Goda masala
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnishing
• Pinch of asafoetida / Hing
• 1 small gooseberry size jaggery
• 2 tablespoon groundnut oil
• Salt to taste

Method:

1. Heat 2 tablespoon oil in a wok
2. Add cumin seeds to it. Once the seeds sizzle, add sprig of curry leaves and peanuts to it. 
3. Once the peanuts are nicely fried, add chopped onions to it.
4. Stir fry the onions, until translucent.
5. Next, add in the hopped tomatoes and stir-fry until mushy.
6. Add kanda khobra vatan and stir fry everything for 1-2 minutes on low flame.
7. Next, add the spice powders, asafoetida, turmeric powder, red chili powder, goda masala. Stir fry the spices on low flame for around 30 seconds to a minute, taking care not to burn them. 
8. Next, tip in the sprouted moth neans, matki and stir fry for another 1 minute.
9. Add hot water followed by jaggery and salt to taste. 
10. Cover cook the amti for 8-10 minutes on low to medium flame or until the matki is cooked properly.
11. Garnish the ready matki chi uasal with finely chopped coriander leaves, squeeze a lemon or serve lemon wedge along with the amti.
12. Our healthy, utterly flavorful Matkichi Usal is ready to serve !
13. Serve it with steamed rice, bajra or jowar roti or chapati and enjoy with your loved ones !

Would love to hear from you !

I hope you would love trying out this healthy and delicious Matkichi Usal. If you do so, feel free to share your feedback with us in the form of likes and comments in the section below this post.

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See you soon with yet another healthy and delicious creation from my Kitchen. Until then Stay safe and eat right !

 

Happy Cooking !

Happy Eating !

 

Regards

Poonam Bachhav 

Related Posts:

• Ankurit Mugachi Usal

• Ankurit Methichi usal

• Matar Usal

• Maharashtrian Goda Masala

• Maharashtrian Kanda Khobra Masala

• Mixed Beans Korma