Murungai Kai kootu is a rice accompaniment or it can be a meal on its own when served with rice and fryums. Like all the other kootu recipes, this recipe also uses dal and I used the moong dal, and along with fresh ground masala with coconut, I used about a tsp of sambar powder and tomatoes to add that extra kick. I prepared this in slightly thicker consistency according to our preference.
The scientific name of Murungaikai also starts with M. Drumstick tree a tropical plant is known as Moringa Olifera and the drumsticks are known as Moringa Pods. According to this site, drumstick tree is called the “Powerhouse of Minerals”. Basically, the drumsticks are fruits but used as vegetables.
When it comes to Tamil Nadu cuisine, I cannot skip Murungai or Drumstick. It is one of the staples of Tamil Nadu and it’s a very common backyard tree. Their leaves, their flowers and the drumstick itself are loaded with vitamins and iron makes them very healthy. I have already posted Murungai keerai curry and also soup. So I wanted to try something with drumsticks. I already posted the drumstick sambar. So kootu or rasam were my only two options. It’s been a long time since I tried Murungai kootu, so I thought of preparing it now and posting the same.
Ingredients:
- Drumstick – 1 or if you are using frozen 10 to 12 pieces.
- Moong Dal – ¼ cup
- Tomatoes – 2
- Sambar Powder – 1 tsp
- Turmeric Powder – ¼ tsp
- Water – 1.5 cups + 1 cup + 3 tbsps
- Salt – 1.5 tsp
- Curry leaves – 1 strand
- Cilantro for garnishing.
- For tempering:
- Oil – 2 tsps
- Mustard Seeds – 1 tsp
- Cumin Seeds – 1 tsp
- Hing – ½ tsp
- To Grind:
- Grated Coconut – ½ cup
- Red Chillies – 3
- Cumin Seeds – 1 tbsp
- Pottu Kadalai / Dalia / Roast gram dal – 1 tsp
Prep Work:
- Chop the tomatoes into halves. It easier to remove the skin after pressure cooking.
- Pressure cook moong dal and chopped tomatoes along with turmeric powder by adding 1.5 cups of water.
- Let it cool and remove the tomato skin and mash it well.
- Grind everything given under “To grind” by adding 3 tbsps of water and set aside.
- Chop the drumsticks into small pieces or if you are using frozen soak them up in water for 10 minutes to remove the ice crystals.
Method:
- Heat the kadai or pan and oil.
- Once the oil is hot, add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and hing.
- As they start to splutter add the chopped drumsticks and curry leaves. Mix them well and add 1 cup of water.
- Add salt and the sambar podi and let it simmer till the drumsticks become tender.
- Now add the ground masala and let it cook for 5 more minutes.
- Finally, add the moong dal- tomato mix and cook till it thickens (approx. 7-8 minutes).
That’s it. Murungai kai kootu is ready.
Notes:
- If you want thin consistency, skip the addition of roasted gram dal while grinding and add more water according to your preference. Just bring to boil once after adding water.
- Also, you can microwave the drumsticks to make the process faster. I just prefer this way because the taste gets infused well inside the pods also.
- Adjust the spice and salt according to your taste preference.
📖 Recipe
Murungai Kai kootu / Moringa Pods Gravy
Ingredients
- Drumstick – 1 or if you are using frozen 10 to 12 pieces.
- Moong Dal – ¼ cup
- Tomatoes – 2
- Sambar Powder – 1 tsp
- Turmeric Powder – ¼ tsp
- Water – 1.5 cups + 1 cup + 3 tbsps
- Salt – 1.5 tsp
- Curry leaves – 1 strand
- Cilantro for garnishing.
For tempering
- Oil – 2 tsps
- Mustard Seeds – 1 tsp
- Cumin Seeds – 1 tsp
- Hing – ½ tsp
To Grind
- Grated Coconut – ½ cup
- Red Chillies – 3
- Cumin Seeds – 1 tbsp
- Pottu Kadalai / Dalia / Roast gram dal – 1 tsp
Instructions
Prep Work
- Chop the tomatoes into halves. It easier to remove the skin after pressure cooking.
- Pressure cook moong dal and chopped tomatoes along with turmeric powder by adding 1.5 cups of water.
- Let it cool and remove the tomato skin and mash it well.
- Grind everything given under “To grind” by adding 3 tbsps of water and set aside.
- Chop the drumsticks into small pieces or if you are using frozen soak them up in water for 10 minutes to remove the ice crystals.
Method
- Heat the kadai or pan and oil.
- Once the oil is hot, add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds and hing.
- As they start to splutter add the chopped drumsticks and curry leaves. Mix them well and add 1 cup of water.
- Add salt and the sambar podi and let it simmer till the drumsticks become tender.
- Now add the ground masala and let it cook for 5 more minutes.
- Finally add the moong dal- tomato mix and cook till it thickens (approx. 7-8 minutes).
- That’s it. Murungai kai kootu is ready.
Notes
- If you want thin consistency, skip the addition of roasted gram dal while grinding and add more water according to your preference. Just bring to boil once after adding water.
- Also, you can microwave the drumsticks to make the process faster. I just prefer this way because the taste gets infused well inside the pods also.
Adjust the spice and salt according to your taste preference.
I am not a nutritionist. The nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It varies depending upon the product types or brands.
one of my favorite vegetable but never try this way interesting, will sure give a try……
Thanks a lot :-)
I’ve yet to try drumstick eventhough I have a bag of frozen for some time in the freezer need to try soon
:-) Please do try. Thanks
I have never made kootu with murungakai. Very interesting use of the vegetable and since my kids love this vegetable, this will be one other dish I can make for them.
:-) Thanks a lot Sandhya and please do try and let me know how it turned out.
That is a good one. Never tried drumstick in kootu.
Thanks Harini.. Drumstick pretty much goes in every thing sambar, kootu, poriyal and even rasam. :-)
Can have this lipsmacking kootu simply with some rice and papads, so tempting dish.
Thanks a lot Priya.
That is such a flavorful and great recipe to use drumsticks. Totally love it!
:-) Thanks Smruti.
Healthy kootu with murungai ….We add onions too,but your recipe looks so perfect ,Vid…
Thanks Swapna. Yeah onion adds more flavor.
Lovely kootu with all those ingredients. It’s a must try for me… Can’t wait:)
Thanks Amara. glad you liked it and let me know when you try it.
That is a yummy yummy kootu Vidhya.
:-) Thanks a lot Pavani.
This surely a delicious wayou to cook drumstick…must have tasted yum with rice.
Yes Valli. Thanks :-)
A kootu with drumsticks should be delicious, drumsticks are very nutritious and I make them often. A nice recipe, bookmarking.
Oh yeah.. I love them too. Thanks a lot Vaishali.
Kootu sounds yummly with that flavor paste. I have never tried drum sticks in a thick gravy.
Thanks Suma.. :-)
That is very interesting kootu.Would have tasted great with rice.
Yeah.. Thanks Sapana
Though we don’t have the tree, there are neighbours who have it and are generous in providing the leaves and drumstick. This kootu looks perfect with rice…
:-) :-) Great neighbors.. :-) Yeah true.
Even my uncle had this in his backyard, back home. I usually use it only in pappu chaaru (sambar without sambar powder). Once made a curry and loved it. Kootu also looks delicious
Thanks a lot Usha. :-)