Spicy tomato and mung bean dumplings – moong tamatar badi – concentrate a whole pot of tomato masala into sun-dried nuggets the size of a thumbnail. They fry up crisp, then turn irresistibly spongy in sauce.
There’s something incredibly satisfying about making a pantry staple from scratch, and these Spicy Tomato & Mung Bean Dumplings are a perfect example! Known as *Moong Tamatar Badi* in Hindi, these little nuggets are concentrated flavor bombs. We’re combining protein-packed mung beans with a rich, spicy tomato masala, then sun-drying them (or using an oven/dehydrator) into hard little dumplings that will keep for months. When you’re ready, just pop a few into your favorite curry or vegetable stir-fry to add incredible texture, a boost of protein, and a deep, savory heat. It’s a taste of tradition you’ll be so proud to have made yourself!
Ingredients
• Yield: 50–70 small dumplings
• For the Dal Paste
• 1 1/2 cups / 325 g (11.5 oz) split and hulled moong dal (yellow mung beans)
• 2−4 Tbsp (60 ml) water, as needed for grinding
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• Up to 1/4 cup / 35 g (1.23 oz) mung bean flour or all-purpose flour, optional
• For the Tomato Masala
• 3 large ripe tomatoes, about 1 1/4 lbs / 570 g (20.1 oz), quartered
• 1/3 cup / 80 ml water
• 2 Tbsp / 30 ml ghee or vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 Tbsp / 22 ml cumin seeds
• 1/2 tsp / 7 ml salt
• 1 Tbsp / 15 ml garam masala
• 1/2 tsp / 2 ml cayenne pepper
• 1–2 hot green chilies, seeded and finely chopped
Instructions
1. Soak the Dal: Pick over the moong dal to remove any debris. Rinse it thoroughly, place it in a large bowl, and cover with at least 2 inches of water. Let it soak for 8 hours or overnight. Once soaked, drain the dal completely in a fine-mesh strainer.
2. Make the Tomato Pulp: Combine the quartered tomatoes and 1/3 cup (720 ml) of water in a small saucepan. Cover and simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes until the tomatoes are very soft. Press the softened tomatoes and their liquid through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl, using a spoon to extract as much pulp and juice as possible. Discard the skins and seeds left in the strainer.
3. Cook the Tomato Masala: Heat the ghee or oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. When hot, add the cumin seeds and fry until they darken and become fragrant. Carefully pour in the tomato pulp and add the salt. Stirring frequently, cook the mixture until all the liquid has evaporated and the oil begins to separate from the thick tomato paste. Remove from heat and set aside to cool completely.
4. Grind the Dal: In a food processor or high-powered blender, grind the drained dal into a smooth, thick, and airy paste using as little water as possible. Scrape down the sides periodically. The final paste should be perfectly smooth and fluffy.
5. Combine and Rest: Transfer the dal paste to a large mixing bowl. Add the completely cooled tomato masala, garam masala, baking soda, cayenne pepper, and chopped green chilies. Gently fold everything together until just combined. The paste should be thick enough to hold its shape. If it seems too loose, add the optional flour one tablespoon at a time until it thickens. Cover the bowl and let it rest in a warm place for 4 hours.
6. Form the Dumplings: Lightly grease a few large baking sheets or dehydrator trays. Using two teaspoons or your fingertips, drop scant teaspoon-sized dollops of the batter onto the prepared trays, leaving a little space between each one.
7. Dry the Badi: Dry the dumplings using one of the following methods until they are completely hard and brittle.
8. Sun-Drying: Place trays in direct, strong sunlight for 2-4 days. Cover with a thin net to protect from insects and bring indoors at night.
9. Dehydrator: Dry at 125°F / 52°C for 10-15 hours.
10. Oven: Set your oven to its lowest temperature (around 170°F / 75°C). Prop the oven door open slightly to allow moisture to escape. Bake for 8-12 hours, checking periodically.
11. Store the Badi: Once the badi are completely dry and cooled, store them in a well-sealed, airtight container at room temperature. They will keep for many months.
Nutritional Information
• Serving Size: 5 dumplings
• Calories: 75 kcal
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Disclaimer: is an estimate and may vary.
Pro Tips
• The key to light, airy badi is using as little water as possible when grinding the dal. Add water one teaspoon at a time just until a thick, smooth paste forms.
• To check if the badi are fully dried, break one in half. It should snap cleanly and be the same color and texture all the way through, with no moist center.
• Remember these dumplings are already seasoned and spicy! When adding them to a curry, reduce the amount of salt and chili in the main dish and adjust to taste at the end.
• For the most authentic flavor, allow the prepared batter to rest for the full 4 hours. This develops a subtle, tangy flavor similar to fermentation.
FAQ
Q: Can I make these mung bean dumplings vegan
A: Yes, this recipe is easily made vegan. Simply substitute the ghee with an equal amount of vegetable oil when cooking the tomato masala. All other ingredients are naturally plant-based.
Q: Are these lentil dumplings a good source of vegetarian protein
A: Absolutely. The main ingredient is moong dal (split mung beans), which is packed with plant-based protein. A serving of five dumplings provides approximately 4 grams (0.14 oz / 4 g) of protein, making them a great way to boost the protein content of your curries and stir-fries.
Q: How long do these homemade badi last and how should I store them
A: When dried completely until they are hard and brittle, these dumplings become a fantastic pantry staple. Store them in a well-sealed, airtight container at room temperature, and they will keep for many months.
Q: Is this Moong Tamatar Badi recipe gluten-free
A: The base recipe is naturally gluten-free. However, it lists optional all-purpose flour to thicken the batter if needed. To ensure the recipe remains gluten-free, use the recommended mung bean flour or another certified gluten-free flour if your batter is too loose.
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Spicy Tomato & Mung Bean Dumplings (Moong Tamatar Badi)
Ingredients
Method
- Soak the Dal: Pick over the moong dal to remove any debris.
- Rinse it thoroughly, place it in a large bowl, and cover with at least 2 inches of water.
- Let it soak for 8 hours or overnight.
- Once soaked, drain the dal completely in a fine-mesh strainer.
- Make the Tomato Pulp: Combine the quartered tomatoes and 1/3 cup (720 ml) of water in a small saucepan.
- Cover and simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes until the tomatoes are very soft. Press the softened tomatoes and their liquid through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl, using a spoon to extract as much pulp and juice as possible.
- Discard the skins and seeds left in the strainer.
- Cook the Tomato Masala: Heat the ghee or oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.
- When hot, add the cumin seeds and fry until they darken and become fragrant. Carefully pour in the tomato pulp and add the salt.
- Stirring frequently, cook the mixture until all the liquid has evaporated and the oil begins to separate from the thick tomato paste.
- Remove from heat and set aside to cool completely.
- Grind the Dal: In a food processor or high-powered blender, grind the drained dal into a smooth, thick, and airy paste using as little water as possible. Scrape down the sides periodically. The final paste should be perfectly smooth and fluffy.
- Combine and Rest: Transfer the dal paste to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the completely cooled tomato masala, garam masala, baking soda, cayenne pepper, and chopped green chilies. Gently fold everything together until just combined. The paste should be thick enough to hold its shape. If it seems too loose, add the optional flour one tablespoon at a time until it thickens.
- Cover the bowl and let it rest in a warm place for 4 hours.
- Form the Dumplings: Lightly grease a few large baking sheets or dehydrator trays.
- Using two teaspoons or your fingertips, drop scant teaspoon-sized dollops of the batter onto the prepared trays, leaving a little space between each one.
- Dry the Badi: Dry the dumplings using one of the following methods until they are completely hard and brittle.
- Sun-Drying: Place trays in direct, strong sunlight for 2-4 days.
- Cover with a thin net to protect from insects and bring indoors at night.
- Dehydrator: Dry at 125°F / 52°C for 10-15 hours.
- Oven: Set your oven to its lowest temperature (around 170°F / 75°C). Prop the oven door open slightly to allow moisture to escape.
- Bake for 8-12 hours, checking periodically.
- Store the Badi: Once the badi are completely dry and cooled, store them in a well-sealed, airtight container at room temperature. They will keep for many months.
