Matkichi Amti | Moth Bean Curry

Matkichi Amti is a maharashtrian recipe made from matki (also known as Moth bean or Turkish gram) and spices. This is a spicy dish and matki adds a wonderful flavor to it.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Serves: 4 people

Ingredients:

2 cups matki / moth beans (soak overnight)

1 large onion finely chopped

1 large tomato finely chopped

1 medium potato finely chopped (optional)

3 tbsp oil

5 cups water

salt to taste

Finely chopped coriander leaves for garnishing

For making paste

2 cups grated coconut

1 small onion finely sliced

1 tbsp coriander seeds

½ tsp turmeric powder

2 tsp chilli powder

1 tsp garam masala powder

Method:

1. Heat a pan and add grated coconut, sliced onion and coriander seeds.
2. Roast the ingredients for 5 minutes on medium flame.
3. Turn off the flame and let it cool.
4. After it cools add turmeric powder, chilli powder and garam masala powder to it.
5. Grind all these ingredients into a fine thick paste.
6. Heat oil in a heavy bottomed pan and add onion. Cook till it becomes soft.
7. Now add matki, tomato and potato and cook till matki becomes soft. It takes around 10 minutes.
8. Finally add the coconut paste and 5 cups of water. Add salt to taste and boil for another 5 minutes.
9. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve with rice.

Matki Usal

Matki Usal is an authentic and spicy maharashtrian recipe.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Serves: 4 people

Ingredients:

2 cups matki / moth beans / turkish gram (soak overnight)

2 large onions finely chopped

1 tbsp ginger garlic paste

2 medium tomatoes finely chopped

1 medium potato finely chopped (optional)

2 tbsp oil

½ tsp turmeric powder

2 tsp chilli powder

1 tsp garam masala

1 cup water
salt to taste

Finely chopped coriander leaves for garnishing

Method:

1. Heat oil in a heavy bottomed pan.
2. Add onion and ginger garlic paste. Saute till the onion becomes soft or translucent.
3. Add turmeric powder, chilli powder and garam masala. Cook for 2 minutes.
4. Now add tomato and cook till they become soft.
5. Finally add matki, water and salt to taste. Mix well and cook for another 10 minutes.
6. Garnish the matki usal with coriander leaves.

Note: Soak matki (moth beans) overnight and let it sprout the next day. The sprouts not only add taste to the recipe but also provide vital proteins, vitamins and minerals.

Fried Modak

Modak is a traditional indian sweet recipe.

Fried Modaks

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 4 people

Ingredients:

For stuffing
1/4 cup scrapped coconut
1/4 cup jaggery
Pinch of Cardamom powder

For dough
1/4 cup maida (all purpose flour)
Salt
Water

500ml Oil for deep frying

Method:

1. Heat a pan and put coconut, jaggery and cardamom in it. 
2. Saute till the mixture becomes whole mass.
3. Take a bowl and put maida in it. Add pinch of salt and water. 
4. Knead it into a smooth dough and once done grease this with ghee (clarified butter).
5. Take out a small portion of dough and flatten it into a small thick circle. Do not roll it too thin oterwise, the stuffing will come out while frying.
6. Cut this roll into small roundels with a sharp lid to get perfect circles.
7. Make small balls of the stuffing mixture and place it into the roundels. Shape the edges into a flower pattern (typical shape of modak) nd seal it carefully.
8. Heat oil in a pan for frying.
9. Once oil is heated, put it on low flame and add the dumplings (modaks) in it.
10. Deep fry the modaks till it becomes golden brown in color.
11. Frying the modaks on low flame makes it crispy and avoids burning of the outer cover.
12. Remove the modaks with a slotted spoon and allow the extra oil to drain in a tissue paper covered plate.