Mumawwash (Kuwaiti Rice with Green Mung Beans)
Local name: مموش
In short: Basmati rice and whole green mung beans simmered together with dried lime and cumin, then crowned with deeply browned onions. It takes about 1 h 15 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 1 h
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 1 h 15 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 400 kcal
Mumawwash is a humble Kuwaiti rice dish cooked with whole green mung beans, and it is as comforting as it is cheap. The beans and rice cook together in a pot scented with cumin and dried lime, and the whole thing is finished with onions fried until dark and sweet. Families serve it at lunch with daqqus and a cucumber salad.
Instructions
- Heat 3 tbsp oil in a wide heavy pot over medium heat. Cook the chopped onion for 8 minutes until golden, then add the garlic and spices and stir for 1 minute.
- Add the drained mung beans, the dried lime and 900 ml (3 3/4 cups) of the water. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 25 minutes, until the beans are nearly tender.
- Stir in the rice, the salt and the remaining 200 ml (3/4 cup) of hot water. Add a little more if the liquid does not sit just above the surface of the rice.
- Bring back to a boil, cover and cook on the lowest heat for 15 minutes without lifting the lid, until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed. Rest for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, fry the sliced onions in 3 tbsp oil over medium heat for about 20 minutes, stirring often, until deep brown and crisp at the edges. Drain on paper towels.
- Fluff the rice and beans gently with a fork and discard the dried lime if you like. Pile onto a platter and top with the fried onions.
- Serve warm with daqqus and a cucumber salad.
Tips
- Whole green mung beans are sold in Indian and Middle Eastern shops, sometimes labeled moong. Green or brown lentils can replace them, with a first simmer of 15 minutes.
- The fried onions can be made a day ahead. Keep them in an airtight container and crisp them in a warm oven for 5 minutes before serving.
Questions and answers
Is mumawwash vegetarian?
Yes. As written here it is fully vegan, made only with rice, mung beans, onions, oil and spices.
What is the difference between mumawwash and muaddas?
Mumawwash uses whole green mung beans. Muaddas uses red lentils instead, which cook faster and soften into the rice.
Can I freeze mumawwash?
Yes. Freeze the rice and beans without the onions for up to 3 months, then reheat them covered with a splash of water.
How long does it take to make Mumawwash (Kuwaiti Rice with Green Mung Beans)?
About 1 h 15 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 1 h of cooking.
How many calories are in Mumawwash (Kuwaiti Rice with Green Mung Beans)?
About 400 kcal per serving, with 12 g of protein, 64 g of carbohydrates and 11 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 400 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 12 g |
| Carbohydrates | 64 g |
| Fat | 11 g |
| Fiber | 8 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 600 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
