A Delicious Blend of Finnish and Filipino Culture in a Bowl of Mung Bean Soup

In Finland, hernekeitto is a delicious soup, that is very popular among locals. It is considered a comforting dish that can be enjoyed by everyone, especially children. It is often served alongside fluffy pancakes. In the Philippines, there is a similar dish called mungo or ginisang mungo which includes shrimps, pork, or crispy chicharon, or a vegetable soup with onions, garlic, tomatoes, and spinach.

As someone who has lived in Finland for a while, I have developed my own version of hernekeitto that is tailored to suit the taste of my picky little eaters. This simplified, child-friendly version is my personal take on this comforting dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mung beans

• 4 cups water

• 2 tablespoons cooking oil

• 1 Knorr vegetable cube

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1 can of coconut milk

Add to your flavor

• 1 medium-sized onion, chopped

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 medium-sized tomatoes, chopped

• ½ cup spinache leaves

Add to your flavor

• 200-400 grams sliced pork belly and or pork skin, minced meat

Instructions:

• Rinse the mung beans and drain.

• Boil 4 cups of water in a pot. Add the mung beans and vegetable cube and let it boil for 5 minutes. Turn down the heat and let it soak for an hour.

• Add the coconut milk

• Add salt and pepper to taste.

• Add the onions, garlic, and tomatoes. Sauté until the onions become translucent.

• Add the sliced pork belly or other meat and cook until it changes color.

• Add the soaked mung beans and stir.

• Cover the pot and let it boil for 30 minutes or until the mung beans are fully cooked.

• Add the spinach and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.

Serve the munggo with boiled jasmine rice.

Enjoy your Filipino Munggo with Rice dish!