Mung Beans And Rice Mashkitchiri Recipes

MUNG BEANS AND RICE (MASHKITCHIRI)

Steps:

• Soak beans overnight or cook for 2 minutes in plenty of water and allow to sit for one hour; drain.
• Saute onions and carrots in hot oil until onion begins to turn golden.
• Add potato and cook 5 minutes.
• Stir in the tomatoes, cumin seed, hot and sweet paprika and chicken stock. Bring to boil and add the drained beans. Cover, leaving the lid slightly askew to let steam escape. Simmer until beans are soft, 20 to 30 minutes, and most of liquid has been absorbed.
• Meanwhile, bring the rice and water to a boil; reduce heat, cover and cook 17 minutes, until rice is tender and water absorbed. Stir rice into bean mixture; add salt.
• Garnish with cilantro and hot or sweet paprika.

CENTRAL ASIAN RICE AND BEAN STEW

Steps:

• In a large heavy pot, heat the oil or fat until very hot. Add the onions, lower the heat to medium, and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden, about 10 minutes. Add the potatoes and carrots and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes.
• Stir in the tomatoes, then add the cumin, chile, salt, and pepper and stir well. Add 2 cups of the boiling water or stock and bring to a boil. Let boil vigorously for several minutes, then stir in the dal. Once the mixture has again returned to the boil, lower the heat, cover, and simmer until the mung beans are tender, 30 to 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes or so to prevent sticking. Add more boiling water or stock if necessary.
• When the beans are done, stir in the cooked rice. The mixture should be moist; add a little hot water or stock if necessary. Taste for seasoning. Serve hot, garnished with sprigs of fresh mint (if available) and accompanied by plain yogurt.
• Alternative: An Uzbek version of this stew includes lamb: Cut 1/2 pound lean lamb into small cubes. Add the meat several minutes after you begin sautéing the onions. You may wish to increase the salt and pepper.

IRAQI MUNG BEANS AND RICE - MASH M'TUBUQ

Steps:

• If using a rice cooker, measure the amount of water for the rice only. Otherwise, mix all ingredients together and cover with water that measures about the width of a finger above the rice line. Cover, bring to a boil, lower heat and allow to steam for about 1/2 hour. You can check the rice and beans for doneness.
• Traditionally, when the rice is half cooked, it's divided in half, the mung beans and onions are laid on the bottom half of the rice in the pan and the rest of the rice is then laid on top (hence "m'tubuq" meaning "layered". Cover again and continue to steam.
• When done, it can be served with plain yogurt or date syrup (dibbis). I prefer nice tart yogurt.

STICKY RICE WITH HOMINY, MUNG BEAN, AND CRISPY SHALLOTS

Steps:

• Put the rice in a bowl and add water to cover by 1 inch. Let stand for at least 2 hours (or even overnight).
• Dump the rice into a colander and rinse under cold running water. Shake the colander to expel extra water and then return the rice to the bowl. Add the hominy, breaking it up into individual kernels. Toss the rice and hominy with 1/4 teaspoon of the salt.
• Fill the steamer pan halfway with water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. If you are concerned about cleanup and/or the rice falling through the holes of the steamer tray, line the tray with a piece of parchment paper or banana leaf, leaving a few holes uncovered for heat circulation. Pour the rice and hominy into the tray, keeping the mixture 1 inch away from the edge where condensation will collect.
• Place the tray in the steamer, cover, and steam the rice for 20 minutes, or until the rice is shiny, tender, and slightly chewy; the hominy is already cooked. To ensure even cooking, give the rice a big stir with chopsticks or a spatula 2 or 3 times during steaming. Take care when lifting the lid that you don't allow any condensation to drip onto the rice and hominy and that you are not burned by the steam. At the end of each stirring, gather the grains back into a mound in the center, leaving a 1-inch border between the rice and the edge of the steamer tray. When the rice is done, lower the heat to keep it hot.
• While the rice and hominy steam, put the sesame seeds, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the 1 tablespoon sugar in a mortar and crush with a pestle to a fine, sandy texture. (Or, use an electric mini-chopper and process for 10 seconds.) Set aside.
• To serve, turn off the steamer, fluff the rice and hominy, and transfer to a platter, spreading it out into a 1-inch-thick layer. Sprinkle the mung bean on top and then follow with the sesame mixture and finish with the shallot. Serve with a small bowl of sugar for anyone who wants a little extra sweetness.