Chef-tested recipe
A humble Timorese stew of corn, mung beans and pumpkin, cooked slowly until nourishing, earthy and naturally creamy.
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.
Recipe at a glance
- Servings
- 6 servings
- Prep Time
- 15 minutes
- Cook Time
- 1 hour 15 minutes
- Total Time
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cuisine
- Timorese
- Course
- Main Dish, Stew
- Best Served With
- Serve as a complete simple meal or alongside grilled fish, chicken or other Timorese dishes.
Before you begin
Ingredients & equipment
Gather what you need first, then cook through the method with confidence.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Ingredient and equipment links marked “paid link” may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Equipment
- Large heavy potpaid link
- Chef’s knifepaid link
- Cutting boardpaid link
- Wooden spoonpaid link
Ingredients
- 250 g dried mung beans, rinsedpaid link
- 350 g corn kernels, fresh or frozen
- 500 g pumpkin, peeled and cut into 3 cm pieces
- 1.6 L water
- 8 g fine salt, plus more to tastepaid link
- 150 g tender pumpkin leaves or spinach, optional
Preparation Overview
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.
Method
-
Place mung beans and water in a large pot. Bring to a boil, skim if needed, then lower to a steady simmer.
-
Cook for 35 to 40 minutes, until the beans are beginning to soften but are not falling apart.
-
Add corn and pumpkin. Simmer for another 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
-
Lightly crush a few pumpkin pieces against the side of the pot to thicken the broth naturally.
-
Add optional greens for the final 5 minutes.
-
Season with salt and serve hot.
Beginner Technique 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.
Storage
Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of water because the beans continue absorbing liquid as the stew rests.
Nutritional Value
Approximately 260 kcal, 13 g protein, 50 g carbohydrate and 2 g fat per serving.
Allergen Notes
No major allergens are inherent in the basic recipe. Confirm all packaged ingredients if cooking for an allergy-sensitive guest.
Frequently Asked 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.
