Drumstick leaves or Moringa as its called in the western world has been used for centuries as folk medicine in India. In Ayurvedic traditional medicine, the leaves are believed to affect blood pressure and glucose levels. Drumstick leaves are given to nursing mothers in the belief that they increase lactation. The leaves are the most nutritious part of the plant, being a significant source of B vitamins, vitamin C, provitamin A as beta-carotene, vitamin K, manganese, and protein, among other essential nutrients. We consume a lot of drumstick and its leaves in South India. Today I made a poriyal / stir-fry with the drumstick leaves.
Here is how to do it. Clean and wash the leaves and set aside.
Heat a tablespoon of oil in a pan and when the oil is shimmering, add in the mustard seeds, dry red chillies and urad dal. Let it splutter and wait till the dal turns golden brown. Add in the finely chopped onions and the salt. Saute till the onions are soft and slightly brown.
Once the onions are soft and slightly brown, add in the cleaned, washed and dried drumstick leaves. Saute in medium flame until all the moisture has escaped and the mixture is completely dry. Add in the shredded coconut and saute briefly for a minute. Remove off heat.
Serve hot with rice or roti.
- 1 tablespoon peanut oil
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 tablespoon urad dal
- 2 dried red chillies
- 2 medium onions, chopped
- 2 cups moringa leaves (drumstick leaves)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 heaped tablespoon shredded coconut
- Heat a tablespoon of oil in a pan and when the oil is shimmering, add in the mustard seeds, dry red chillies and urad dal. Let it splutter and wait till the dal turns golden brown.
- Add in the finely chopped onions and the salt. Saute till the onions are soft and slightly brown.
- Add in the cleaned, washed and dried drumstick leaves. Saute in medium flame until all the moisture has escaped and the mixture is completely dry.
- Add in the shredded coconut and saute briefly for a minute. Remove off heat.
- Serve hot with rice or roti.