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Bubur kacang hijau
Bubur kacang hijau: Javanese sweet mung bean porridge with coconut milk and palm sugar
In Java, the bubur kacang ijo seller pushes a cart through the neighbourhood from early morning, ladling warm mung bean porridge sweetened with palm sugar and topped with thick coconut milk. Many people eat it with a slice of white bread dunked in, and late-night stalls in Jakarta sell it alongside instant noodles. The common mistake is adding the sugar too early, which keeps the beans firm; cook them soft first. Chef's tip: cook the coconut milk separately with a pinch of salt and a pandan leaf and pour it on top, so the bowl has a sweet layer and a slightly salty, creamy one.
- Total time
- 60 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the porridge
- 7 oz dried mung beansrinsed, soaked for 2 hours if you have time
- 1.2 litres water
- 1 ⅛ in fresh gingersliced and bruised
- 2 pandan leavestied in a knot
- 3 ½ oz palm sugargrated
- 1 pinch salt
For the coconut topping
- ¾ cup coconut milk
- 1 tsp cornflourmixed with 1 tbsp water
- 1 pinch salt
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Put 7 oz dried mung beans, 1.2 litres water, 1 ⅛ in fresh ginger and 2 pandan leaves in a heavy pan. Bring to the boil, then simmer half-covered over a low heat for 35–45 minutes, stirring now and then, until the beans burst and turn soft when pressed. Add a splash of water if it gets too thick.
45 minStep 2: Stir in 3 ½ oz palm sugar and 1 pinch salt and simmer for 5 minutes more until the sugar dissolves and the porridge is loose but creamy. Remove the ginger and pandan.
5 minStep 3: For the topping, warm ¾ cup coconut milk with 1 pinch salt over a low heat. Stir in 1 tsp cornflour and cook for 1–2 minutes until slightly thickened; do not let it boil hard or it can split.
2 minStep 4: Ladle the porridge into bowls and pour the coconut topping over. Eat warm, or with a slice of bread on the side.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 330 kcal
- Protein
- 11 g
- Carbs
- 52 g
- Fat
- 10 g
- Fibre
- 9 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does bubur kacang hijau take?
- About 60 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 50 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of fresh ginger?
- ¼ tsp ground ginger per tbsp fresh (add it with the spices).
- What can I use instead of palm sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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