Drumstick leaves Poriyal / (Muringa Ela Poriyal)

Drumsticks... you must have had them in the Sambar dish... did you also know that the leaves and flowers of the drumstick tree (Muringa) are also used in cooking various dishes?

They have many health benefits and is very good for your health... I have seen my mother making the Muringaela Poriyal (Drumstick leaves bhaji) and have learnt this from her.  

This stir fry is served as a side dish and has got a delicious taste and is served with Rice, Sambar, Rasam and Papadam!

This is normally made in the South Indian households.  So let's get ready to make the dish.

Ingredients :

Muringa Ela (Tender Drumstick leaves) - 3 cups

1 Large onion - finely chopped

Red Whole Chillies - 2

Grated fresh coconut - 1/4th cup

Raw Rice - 1 tbsp

Turmeric powder - 1/4th tsp

Red Chilli powder - 1 tsp

Garlic Pods - 4 to 6

Salt to taste

Coconut oil - 1 tbsp

Water as required

Method :

Firstly, take the stems broken from the tree. Wash it well in water and drain the excess water from the leaves. Now slowly pluck only the leaves from it as the small stems if included in the dish would make it bitter. So be careful while plucking the leaves from it.

In a Kadai add the Coconut oil and when hot add the raw rice, when it changes colour, add the onions and saute till the colour changes, add the crushed or sliced garlic, broken red chillies and saute. Add turmeric, red chilli powder, coconut and salt.  Saute this well and add the drumstick leaves and sprinkle some water and cook this till the leaves are cooked well.  Serve as a side dish with Rice, Sambar & Rasam.

Do try and leave your comments & feedback.