Today, I present Murungai Keerai Kootu, a spicy lentil-based dish with moringa leaves, that is a wonderful accompaniment to both rice and roti. You can have it just by itself as I do.
Drumstick and drumstick leaves were/are common ingredients in South Indian cooking; long before drumstick metamorphosed into Moringa, the superfood. 🙂 Anyway, this new superfood status means people are greatly interested in ways to eat this pod and its leaves. On the blog, you can find recipes for Drumstick Curry with Coconut and Sesame from Andhra Pradesh | Mulakkada Kura, Drumstick and Besan Curry (Pithla) from Maharashtra | Shevgyache Shengache Pithla, and Multi-lentil Dosa with Moringa Leaves from Tamil Nadu | Murungai Keerai Adai.
Recipe for Murungai Keerai Kootu | Drumstick Leaves Kootu
Murungai Keerai Kootu | Moringa Leaves Kootu | Drumstick Leaves Kootu
Ingredients
- 1/4 Cup Moong Dal (~60 gms)
- 1 Cup Moringa Leaves (~35 gms)
- 1/4 tsp Turmeric
- Salt to Taste
- 1/2 tsp Udad Dal
- 1/2 tsp Chana Dal
- 1/4 tsp Pepper
- 8-10 Fenugreek Seeds (Methi)
- 1 tbsp Coriander Seeds
- 3 tbsp Grated Coconut
- 2 Red Chillies
- 2 tsp Oil (Coconut oil preferred)
- 2 tsp Oil (Coconut oil preferred)
- 1 tsp Udad Dal
- 1 tsp Mustard Seeds (Rai)
- 2 Red Chillies
Instructions
- Pressure cook the moong dal, moringa leaves, and turmeric in 1.25 cups of water till the dal is totally mashable. Took me about 4 whistles.
- Use a heavy ladle to mash the dal well. Set aside.
- Over medium flame, heat the oil.
- Add udad dal and chana dal, and fry till they are light golden brown.
- Add the red chillies, fenugreek seeds, and pepper seeds. Stir-fry for a minute.
- Add the coriander seeds and stir-fry till aromatic.
- Remove from heat and add the coconut. Mix well.
- After the mix cools a bit, grind to a fine paste with about 3-4 tbsp water.
- Add the ground masala and salt to the cooked dal and leaves. Mix well.
- In a ladle, heat the oil.
- Add mustard seeds and wait till they splutter.
- Add udad dal and wait till it turns light brown.
- Add split red chillies.
- Add the tempering to the kootu and mix well.
- Cover and let the kootu rest for at least 15 minutes before serving with rice or roti.
How to Make Murungai Keerai Kootu
- Mix together the moong dal and moringa leaves.
- Add about 1.25 cups of water and turmeric.
-
Pressure cook till the dal can be totally mashed. About 4 to 5 whistles.
- Using a whisk or a heavy ladle, mash the dal well.Dont’worry, the drumstick leaves won’t disintegrate.
- Making the Kootu Masala
- Over medium flame, heat the oil.
- Fry the udad dal and chana dal till they are light golden brown.
- To the fried dal, add the red chillies, methi, and pepper. Stir-fry for a minute.
- Next, add the coriander seeds and fry for a minute.
- Remove from heat and add the coconut. Mix well.
- Let the masala mix cool a bit and then grind it to a fine paste with about 3-4 tbsp water.
- Set aside.
-
Making the Kootu
- Add the ground masala and salt to the mashed dal and drumstick leaves.
- Mix well.
- Add the ground masala and salt to the mashed dal and drumstick leaves.
- Adding the Tempering
- In a ladle, heat the oil.
- Add mustard seeds and wait till they crackle.
- Next, add udad dal and fry till it turns light brown.
- Add split red chillies and stir-fry for a few seconds.
- Add the tempering to the kootu and mix well.
- Cover and let the kootu rest for at least 15 minutes.
- Serve with rice or roti.
I am taking this wonderful traditional dish from Tamil Nadu to the A to Z Recipe Challenge. For the challenge, this month we have to cook with an ingredient whose English name begins with the letter D and I chose Drumstick Leaves.
Liked the recipe.. never used drumstick leves before, will surely give your recipe a try.
I love using drumstick leaves in a poriyal or kootu too. Your version looks absolutely delicious!
Drumstick Kootu is one of my favourites Aruna. In fact, all Kootu varieties are filling, healthy and goes well with both rotis and rice. Delicious mix of greens and protein.
This looks interesting! And tasty! I’m going to try them.
Superb share for the theme. it is a loving recipe and one that says comfort in all its might. Love it anytime
Delicious kootu.. where do we get the drumstick leaves in Mumbai Aruna.
I get from Matunga, Shobha-ji. I remember the flowers; leaves I can get you anytime.
To be honest, I never used this leaves in my cooking. Had once thought of buying it, but did not. I have also shortlisted this for the letter D but as mentioned was not sure. Now I know this wonderful and healthy recipe and I am definitely gonna try this. Awesome share for the letter D and awesome clicks.
I’d love to get my hands on some drumstick leaves to make these healthy and delicious looking kootu. A lovely share for the theme, different from the popular date recipes.
How flavourful and nutritious this kootu will be. I just love these sort of simple yet a fabulous kootu dish to have without any fuss.
AHHH! Comfort food! Will love the full patila you have made just plain no rice please I am on diet! 😀
Anytime, Archana. We should form a dieting foodbloggers group. 😀 I am on a diet too.
This sounds like a light, comforting meal and perfect for getting back from all the heavy eating during Diwali. I do add drumstick leaves to khichdi and I love them!
Something new to me. Dal looks so comforting and delicious. Adding drumstick leaves made it super healthy. Loved the spices you have used in it. Sounds totally different. Lovely share.
I usually make drumstick leaves dal, never tried kootu. I am very much tempted with masala paste used here. It seems so much flavourful and healthy kootu. Bookmarking this recipe to try sometime.
There is a practice of using drumsticks in Bengali cuisine also but I am not sure about the drumstick leaves. Mung dal is the most favourite one among all dals in my house. I am happy to know a new recipe of mung dal. Lovely share for the theme. ?
This drumsticks leaves dish is totally new to me. Love all those simple spices paired with dal and drumsticks leaves looks very yummy, warm and comforting. Such a wonderful dish!
I love the combination of dal and drumstick leaves. Will prepare this recipe soon..
Lovely combination of all the flavors. Liked the addition of coconut in the masala. Such a flavorful and nutritious dish. Awesome Share !!
Lovely recipe Aruna, my mom makes drumstick leaves dal, will surely give your recipe a try.
This is such a healthy kootu. Looks very appetizing!!
Moringa leaves in mung dal sounds absolutely comforting to me. Love the flavors your masala adds in to this healthy treat.
Moringa leaves with mung dal sound comforting to me Aruna ! Love the flavors going in the kootu . I wish I get hold of moringa leaves here .
Drumstick Leaves Kootu looks so flavorful aruna… lovely share for theme !!!!
Thank you, Sasmita 🙂