SIXTO CARREON

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Timorese Batar Da’an — Corn, Mung Bean and Pumpkin Stew

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2–4 minutes

A humble Timorese stew of corn, mung beans and pumpkin, cooked slowly until nourishing, earthy and naturally creamy.

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Traditional Timorese batar da’an stew with corn, mung beans, pumpkin and leafy greens

Batar da’an is a traditional Timorese everyday dish built from staple crops rather than elaborate seasoning. Corn, mung beans and pumpkin cook together into a hearty plant-based meal that reflects the agricultural foundations of Timorese cuisine.

Prep
15 minutes
Cook
1 hour 15 minutes
Total
1 hour 30 minutes
Serves
6
Cuisine
Timorese
Course
Main Dish, Stew

The recipe

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Before you start

Cook the mung beans first until partly tender, then add corn and pumpkin. The pumpkin softens into the broth while some pieces remain intact, giving the stew body without dairy or flour.

Ingredients

Equipment

Method

  1. Place mung beans and water in a large pot. Bring to a boil, skim if needed, then lower to a steady simmer.

  2. Cook for 35 to 40 minutes, until the beans are beginning to soften but are not falling apart.

  3. Add corn and pumpkin. Simmer for another 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  4. Lightly crush a few pumpkin pieces against the side of the pot to thicken the broth naturally.

  5. Add optional greens for the final 5 minutes.

  6. Season with salt and serve hot.

Chef’s notes

  • Older mung beans may take longer to soften.
  • Keep enough liquid in the pot for gentle simmering; add hot water if needed.
  • Avoid over-seasoning. The simplicity of the ingredients is part of the dish’s character.

Tips and variations

  • Use sweet, mature pumpkin for fuller flavor.
  • Fresh corn gives the best texture when in season.
  • Some household versions include additional local greens or root vegetables.

Serve with

Serve as a complete simple meal or alongside grilled fish, chicken or other Timorese dishes.

Storage

Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of water because the beans continue absorbing liquid as the stew rests.

Nutrition per serving (estimated)

260 kcal
Calories
13 g
Protein
50 g
Carbohydrates
2 g
Fat

Allergens

No major allergens are inherent in the basic recipe. Confirm all packaged ingredients if cooking for an allergy-sensitive guest.

Questions

Do I need to soak the mung beans?

No, but soaking for several hours can shorten cooking time.

Is batar da’an vegetarian?

This traditional simple version is entirely plant-based.

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About the Contributor

Written by

Sixto Carreon

Sixto Carreon is a Filipino chef, cookbook author and hospitality writer based in Singapore. Originally from Taytay, Palawan, he has spent more than 14 years in luxury hospitality, with experience in hotel kitchens and banquets. His cookbooks, including The Southeast Asian Flavors, Unpopular Flavors and Filipino Comforts, explain both how a dish is made and why it works. His Pocket Chef guides organise kitchen knowledge for working cooks, and Hospitality at Heart shares practical lessons on service and leadership. He is also the author of the novel The Seventh Course.

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