Mung Beans

You must be familiar with kidney beans, black beans, chickpeas, and many more types of other beans, but what about mung beans? Have you had mung before? What is mung? How to prepare them? What is so good about them?

These are very small, green legumes, loaded with health-promoting benefits. It’s considered a very hearty and wholesome food, which can be eaten raw or cooked into a savory or sweet dish.

These little beans are very high in protein, has minerals, and loaded with various vitamins along with many nutritional values. They contain anti-aging properties that can make your skin look younger and healthier.

Did you know that powerful antioxidant properties have been found in these tiny little beans? It has the power to help protect your body from certain diseases, keeping you healthier.

Mung can be prepared in so many ways (falafel, soup, curry, cookies, salad, and etc). If it is your very first time trying it out I would suggest that you try it as a simple breakfast like we Srilankans do.

A perfect meal for plant-based eaters.

Before you start cooking, some would like to soak their beans overnight for many reasons. One of which is to soften them. Different beans requires a different amount of soaking and cooking time. However, some legumes often don’t need soaking at all.

For mung, you may soak it in water for few hours to help reduce cooking time. I normally don’t soak them, I simply wash them well then throw it in with the water and let it boil for about 10min. Let it cook continuously on medium heat for another 20-25min for tender soft beans, don’t forget to add salt to the beans while cooking. The beans are cooked well when it is very squishable with your fingers. See it’s as simple as that.

This mung recipe can be eaten on its own, but if you like to add more flavor to this heartwarming dish, I can suggest a few sides to complement this mung with…

• Suger
• Chili sauce (Mix together 1 tbsp lime juice, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 tsp chili powder)
• Lunumiris
• Chili paste/Katta sambal (Recipe inside)
• Raw onion sambal (Recipe inside)
• Freshly scraped coconut

You can have it with either one or multiple sides together, it is all up to you. I love mung with the Lunumiris or the Katta sambal. For a quick bite, I normally choose to have it with the chili sauce instead.

It is delicious not to mention healthy meal choice to choose when it comes to your breakfast. Why not start the day with a boost.