This post may contain affiliate links. Please read the full disclosure here.
Matki Chi usal is a traditional Maharashtrian dish made with sprouted Matki (Moth Beans). This is a protein-rich delicious and nutritious curry.
Matki is also known as Moth Beans, Mat Beans or Dew Beans. This is a vegan, protein-rich, diabetic-friendly, and nutritious recipe.
About Matki Usal
Matki chi usal (moth bean curry) is very popular in Maharashtra and is often served with chapati, phulka or as a side dish with amti bhat (dal rice). This is one of the staples in every Maharashtrian household.
Though mainly popular in Maharashtra, this matki curry is made all across India, the preparation varies from state to state.
In the north this usal (curry) is made in onion tomato-based gravy and in the south, you will find it made in coconut-based gravy. Whatever may be the variation, it is one of the most loved legumes all across India.
Many times, this matki chi usal is deliberately made in huge quantities so that this dish can be instantly transformed into misal (another most popular Maharashtrian Snack recipe) by adding farsan, boiled potatoes, and raw onions along with a gentle squeeze of lemon juice.
Makti chi usal is one of the family favourites at our home. Easy to make, low in calories and high in nutrition!
To make this matki chi usal (moth bean curry), you need to plan ahead of time as this usal / curry requires sprouting which usually takes 2 days. You can even make the usal without sprouting. Sprouting this legume increases its nutritional value and is easy to digest.
Matki ( Moth Beans) contain a good amount of calcium, phosphorous, and zinc. It helps strengthen our immunity. Hence almost every fortnight we make a point to include this healthy legume in our diet.
If you are into a plant-based, vegan or vegetarian diet this legume is one the best source of protein. They are light and easy to digest. This matki chi usal can be made dry, semi-dry or with gravy. The dry version is apt for lunch box along with flatbreads.
For more plant-based protein recipes I have already shared Chana Masala (black chickpea curry), Chavali Chi Usal (Black Eyed Bean Curry), Masoor Chi Usal (Brown Lentil Curry), Dalimbi Usal ( Field Beans Curry). Do check them out if interested.
To make this matki usal (moth bean curry), a popular Maharashtrian spice powder known as goda masala is added to this curry.
Goda masala is a mildly sweet coconut-based spice mix that is often used in making Maharashtrian dishes. In case you do not have goda masala you can either add garam masala or coriander-cumin powder.
This one-pot dish is easy to make and loved by everyone. As this legume cooks fast unlike others I usually prepare it in a saucepan over the stovetop. This curry can be made in a pressure cooker as well as in an instant pot.
In Indian cuisine, you will find legumes such as green mung beans (hirvi mug dal), black-eyed beans (chavali), lima beans (kadve vaal), kala vatana are used extensively. I always make sure to stock up on these legumes which come very handy when not in the mood to prepare vegetables or dal.
Including legumes in everyday meals is a great way to get your daily intake of necessary nutrients.
To make any pluses or legumes the main step is to soak them in water overnight or at least for 4-5 hours before cooking them. This helps in getting rid of bloating when consumed and helps legumes cook faster.
For matki (moth beans) to sprout, you need to soak them in water for about 8 hours or overnight. Then drain all the water, and keep them aside covered in a dark cloth for 2-3 days and allow them to sprout.
I have given an in-depth method of how to sprout matki (moth beans) below. Once the matki is sprouted, you can make the usal immediately or you can store the sprouted matki in a container with a lid in the refrigerator and use it within 3-4 days.
This delicious, protein-packed curry is low in the glycemic index making it diabetic friendly dish. This is a sure shot for delicious comfort homestyle food.
For the most authentic taste use Goda Masala. Goda masala is easily available at any Indian grocery store. Incase you do not get it, you can substitute it with garam masala or with 2 teaspoon coriander powder along with 1 teaspoon cumin powder, but here the taste will differ a lot.
The dry version of matki chi usal is a great lunch box option for kids as well as adults.
lngredients
Matki (Moth Beans): I have used 2 cups of sprouted matki (moth beans)
Onion: I used 1 medium-sized finely chopped onion.
Spices: I have used the special blend of Maharashtrian spice mix – goda masala here along with turmeric, hing (asafoetida), red chilli powder and coriander powder.
Tempering: I tempered this curry using sunflower oil, mustard seeds along with spices.
Water: I have used 2 cups of water to cook the matki (moth beans).
Recently I shared Sprouted Matki Che Vade (Pakode/Fritters) Recipe, do check it out if interested.
Variations
Mugachi Usal (Green Moong Dal Curry): For more nutritional usal, you can use green moong dal. As we sprouted the matki, the same procedure goes into making hirvya mugachi usal. You can even use the soaked green mung beans instead of sprouting them.
Masoor Usal ( Brown Lentil Curry): Masoor usal do not need sprouting so making it makes it easier. Use the same method of making the curry, instead of matki add soaked masoor dal (brown lentil) instead.
I have shared masoor usal recipe which is made using ginger garlic and tomatoes, do check it here if you are interested.
Serving Suggestions
- You can serve this usal with chapati, phulka or bhakri.
- You can also serve this with plain rice or as a side dish with dal rice.
Storage Options
Matki Chi Usal can be stored in the refrigerator for a week. Reheat before serving.
Latest Recipe Post
Matki Che Vade – Matki Pakode (Fritters)
Vaalache Birdhe – Dalimbi Usal Recipe
Masoor Chi Usal (Brown Lentil Curry) Recipe
Harbara Usal (Chana Masala) Recipe
Chavali Chi Usal (Black Eyed Bean Curry) Recipe
Maharashtrian Recipes
Vegan & Plant-based Recipes
Curry Recipes
Diabetic-Friendly Recipes
Food FAQs
How To Make Matki Usal
- 2 cups Sprouted Matki (Sprouted Moth Beans)
- 1 Onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Mustard Seeds
- 1/4th teaspoon Hing (Asafoetida)
- 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- 2 teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
- 2 teaspoon Goda Masala (Use garam masala, if you do not have goda masala)
- 1 teaspoon Coriander Powder
- 1 teaspoon Gul (Jaggery) – Use 1 teaspoon sugar instead if you do not have jaggery.
- 2 tablespoons Coriander Leaves (Cilantro)
- Salt to taste
- 2 -3 cups of Water (Adjust the consistency according to your personal preference).
- 2 tablespoons Oil
How to sprout matki / moth beans?
Step-by-Step Matki Usal Recipe
- Heat oil in a kadai/pan, add 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds and let them splutter.
- Add 1/4th teaspoon hing (asafoetida) and finely chopped onion. Saute onion for 4-5 minutes.
- Add sprouted matki and mix well.
- Add turmeric powder and red chilli powder. Adjust the spiciness according to your preference.
- Add 2 cups water.
- Add 1 teaspoon jaggery (gul). If you do not have jaggery, add 1 teaspoon of sugar. Add salt to taste, mix well, cover and cook for 8-10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, add 2 teaspoon goda masala and 1 teaspoon of coriander powder (If you can’t get goda masala, add garam masala. The taste would change though).
You may also like these related recipes: Vaalache Birdhe – Dalimbi Usal Recipe, Masoor Chi Usal (Brown Lentil Curry) Recipe, Harbara Usal (Chana Masala) Recipe, Chavli Chi Usal (Black Eyed Bean Curry) Recipe, Maharashtrian Recipes, Vegan & Plant-based Recipes, Curry Recipes, Diabetic-Friendly Recipes
- Cover and let matki cook on medium flame. Keep stirring occasionally in between.
- Adjust the consistency of gravy according to your preference. Personally at home, we like it semi-dry.
Watch Recipe Video – Sprouted Matki Chi Usal (Moth Bean Curry)
- Once matki (moth bean) is cooked perfectly, add finely chopped coriander leaves.
- Matki chi usal (Moth Bean Curry ) is ready. Serve hot with flatbread like bharki, chapati, roti or as a side dish with dal rice.
Note:
You can make a similar curry using green mung beans.
If you like, you can add tomatoes to this curry which gives a nice texture and taste to this usal/curry.
Goda masala is easily available at any Indian grocery store, If you can’t get it, use garam masala instead.
Adjust the consistency of the usal as per your liking, when making for lunch box, I prefer to keep it dry or semi-dry and when serving as a side dish or for making misal out of it, I prefer the running consistency of the curry.
Watch On Youtube
Recipe Card
Matki Chi Usal – Moth Bean Curry
Ingredients
- 2 cups Sprouted Matki (Moth Beans
- 1 nos Onion finely chopped
- 1 tsp Mustard Seeds
- 1/4th tsp Hing (Asafoetida)
- 2 tsp Red Chilli Powder
- 2 tbsp Goda Masala Use garam masala if you don't get goda masala
- 1 tsp Coriander Powder
- 1 tsp Gul (Jaggery) Use sugar incase you do not have jaggery
- 2 tbsp Coriander Leaves
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsp Oil
- 3 cups Water
Instructions
- How to sprout matki / moth beans?
- Wash matki / moth beans with water and soak them for 8 hours.
- After soaking for 8 hours or overnight, drain the water.
- Wrap the soaked matki /moth bean in a clean cloth and store in a dark warm place for 24-48 hours.
- After wrapping for almost24-48 hours, you will see the sprouted matki.
- Let's make Matki Chi Usal (Moth Bean Curry)
- Heat oil in a kadai / pan, add 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds and let them splutter.
- Add 1/4th teaspoon hing (asafoetida) and finely chopped onion. Saute onion for 4-5 minutes.
- Add sprouted matki and mix well.
- Add turmeric powder and red chilli powder. Adjust the spiciness according to your preference.
- Add 2 cups water. Add 1 teaspoon jaggery (gul). If you do not have jaggery, add 1 teaspoon of sugar. Add salt to taste, mix well, cover and cook for 8-10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, add 2 teaspoon goda masala and 1 teaspoon of coriander powder (If you can't get goda masala, add garam masala. The taste would change though).
- Cover and let matki cook on medium flame. Keep stirring occasionally in between.
- Adjust the consistency of gravy according to your preference. Personally at home, we like it semi-dry.
- Once matki (moth bean) is cooked perfectly, add finely chopped coriander leaves.
- Matki chi usal (Moth Bean Curry ) is ready. Serve hot with flatbread like bharki, chapati, roti or as a side dish with dal rice.
All time favourite
This is yummy