Murungakkai Kootu | Moringa Pods & Lentil Stew | Drumstick Kootu
This flavorful and versatile drumstick kootu is a perfect accompaniment for both rice and roti. Made with moringa pods (murungakkai) and lentils, it features a freshly ground masala for added depth of flavor.
Servings: 6
Calories: 60kcal
Ingredients
Measurement Details: 1 cup = 240ml; 1 tbsp = 15ml; 1 tsp = 5ml;
To pressure cook
- ¼ cup masoor dal
- 4 drumstick pieces
- 1 tomato 100 grams
- ⅛ tsp turmeric powder
- 1 cup water
To grind
- 2 green chilies
- ½ cup coconut grated
- 2 tsp cumin seeds
- 2 tsp sambar powder
- 1 tsp roasted gram
- ¼ cup water
For the kootu
- 1 cup water
- 10 drumstick pieces
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp cilantro
To Temper
- 2 tsp coconut oil
- ½ tsp mustard seeds
- ½ tsp urad dal
- 5 to 6 curry leaves
Instructions
- Start by rinsing the masoor dal thoroughly and placing it in a cooking vessel. Add chopped tomatoes, four drumstick pieces, turmeric powder, and 1 cup of water. Pressure cook for three whistles and allow the pressure to release naturally. Once cooled, extract the flesh from the moringa pods, mix it into the dal as shown in the video, and discard the outer layer.
- Meanwhile, grind ½ cup of coconut, two green chilies, two teaspoons of cumin seeds, two teaspoons of sambar powder, and roasted gram, adding ¼ to ⅓ cup of water to form a smooth paste.
- In a separate saucepan, add the remaining 10 drumstick pieces along with 1 cup of water and salt. Cover and cook until they become soft and tender. Then, stir in the ground paste along with an additional ½ cup of water and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Once it starts boiling, add the cooked dal and tomato mixture. Reduce the heat and let it simmer gently. Finally, mix in chopped cilantro, bring it to a final boil, and turn off the heat.
- For tempering, heat coconut oil in a small pan and add mustard seeds, urad dal, and curry leaves. Once the mustard seeds splutter, pour this tempering over the kootu. Your flavorful drumstick kootu is now ready to serve!
Video
Notes
- For a thinner consistency, skip the roasted gram while grinding and add extra water as needed. Just bring it to a boil after adding water.
- You can microwave the drumsticks for faster cooking or pressure cook all the moringa pods together. However, this method enhances the flavor as the spices infuse into the pods.
- Adjust the spice and salt levels to suit your taste.
Nutrition
Calories: 60kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Sodium: 640mg | Potassium: 124mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 221IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg