Matar Ka Nimona aur Mungodi – Mung Bean Dumplings in Curried Green Pea Broth

Last Updated on December 16, 2020 by Chef Mireille

Do you know what a thali is? A thali is basically a variety of small dishes served on a round platter. India has thali’s and Indonesia has rijstafel, but it’s the same basic concept.

In India, every state has their own thali’s with their own regional dishes.

Here I presented a thali from the state of Uttar Pradesh in North India, which included this Matar Ka Nimona aur Mungodi – Mung Bean Dumplings in Curried Green Pea Broth.

Uttar Pradesh Thali Recipes

• Taheri – Vegetable Pulao
• Soohi Tadka Dal – Skinned black lentil dal infused with pan roasted garlic and red chile
• Lucknowi Style Chicken Curry – chicken curry cooked in a poppy and sesame seed masala paste
• Makhani Paratha – flatbread enriched with whole butter and black pepper
• Matar Ka Nimona aur Mungodi – Mung Bean Dumplings in Curried Green Pea Broth
• Nimish – saffron infused cream dessert

Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh has a rich culinary history based in the traditions of the Mughlai’s. The Mughal Empire ruled India for about 300 years from the 1500’s-1800’s and is responsible for many assets of Indian culture, including the building of the world famous Taj Majal.

Although Uttar Pradesh is known for its rich meat based curries of the Mughlai’s, there is also a long history of Hindu Vegetarian dishes, as the city of Varanasi is the most holiest of cities and a place of pilgrimage to Hindus, Jains and Buddhists.

It was a lot of fun researching this state and learning so many new dishes. Nimona is a type of vegetable based thin curry. It is very thin, almost like a soup. The base can be made with different green vegetables like spinach or amaranth, as well. The soup can include vegetables like potatoes and cauliflower or mung bean dumplings, which is the version I made here.

Making Matar Ka Nimona aur Mungodi – Mung Bean Dumplings in Curried Green Pea Broth

The first step of this recipe is to make the mangodi. Mangodi often refers to sun dried lentils, also knows as wadi as in this Kashmiri Wadi Curry or this Palak Mangodi. In this case, these instant mangodi are fried mung bean fritters.

I loved the fritters so much as they reminded me of something we make in the Caribbean – Phulourie. Phulourie are very popular in Caribbean countries with large Indian populations like Trinidad and Guyana. Our phulourie are probably rooted in this mangodi recipe.

They are a popular street food often eaten with just tamarind chutney and green mango pickle – our basic achar.

The first time I made the mangodi, I had just used a regular tablespoon to shape them and this is how they came out.

This time I used a mini scooper to get more evenly sized and more refined mangodi.

After  making the dumplings, the rest of the curry is so easy and simple. A puree of green peas is fried with spices. Water is then added and the dumplings are simmered to absorb the flavor of the broth.

I often enjoy this light curry with frozen Tandoori Roti. It is a great meal for Meatless Monday!

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Matar Ka Nimona aur Mungodi – Mung Bean Dumplings in Green Pea Broth

Mung Bean Dumplings in Green Pea Broth

Prep Time2 hours hrs

Cook Time55 minutes mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Indian, Uttar Pradesh

Servings: 4 people

1x2x3x

Ingredients

Mangodi Ingredients

• 1 cup split yellow mung beans moong dal
• 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
• 1 large green chile
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• mustard oil for frying

Nimona Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups frozen green peas defrosted
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger
• 2 large green chiles
• 2 tablespoons ghee
• pinch of asoefetida
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro

Instructions

• Soak mung beans in water for 2 hours. Drain.
• In a coffee/spice grinder, grind the cumin seed.
• Combine mung beans with cumin seed, chili and salt in a high powered blender and grind to a smooth paste.
• In a saucepan or a wok, heat enough mustard oil for deep frying.
• Using a tablespoon or a mini scooper, make little dumplings and fry in the hot oil until golden brown on all sides,
• To make the nimona, combine green peas, ginger and chile in a food processor. Grind to make a thick paste. Add a few tablespoons of water if you prefer a smoother paste and a more refined broth.
• In a deep skillet or saucepan, heat ghee.
• Add asoefetida. After it stops sizzling, add cumin seeds. Fry until it starts to change color.
• Add curry powder and a teaspoon of water. Fry for 1 minute.
• Add green pea paste and fry for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add garam masala and fry for 1 minute.
• Add 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer.
• Add mung bean dumplings and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Add cilantro and salt, as needed. Stir to combine.

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