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    Home » Blogging Marathon » Murungai Kai kootu / Moringa Pods Gravy

    Murungai Kai kootu / Moringa Pods Gravy

    Posted on April 15, 2016 · Last Updated on August 14, 2019 · By Srividhya G · 30 Comments

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    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.

    DrumstickKootu

    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.

    MurungaiKootu

    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.

    MurungaiKootuStep2

    • 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.

    MurungaiKootuStep1

    • Now add the ground masala and let it cook for 5 more minutes.

    MurngaiKootuStep3

    • Finally, add the moong dal- tomato mix and cook till it thickens (approx. 7-8 minutes).

    MurungaiKootuStep4

    That’s it. Murungai kai kootu is ready.

    MurungaiKaiKootu

    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.

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    Murungai Kai kootu / Moringa Pods Gravy

    A gravy curry prepared with moringa pods, moong dal and tomatoes with fresh ground coconut masala. A great side for rice.
    Prep Time45 mins
    Cook Time30 mins
    Total Time1 hr 15 mins
    Course: Kootu Varieties, Side Dish
    Cuisine: South Indian
    Servings: 3
    Calories:
    Author: Srividhya G

    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.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @vidhyasvegetariankitchen or tag #vidhyasvegkitchen
    For Video RecipesCheck out My YouTube Channel
    BM#63  A-ZChallengeBadge
    Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM# 63

    [inlinkz_linkup id=601063 mode=1]

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    Filed Under: Blogging Marathon, Kootu Varieties Tagged With: A-Z Challenge, Blogging Marathon, gramiya samyal, Moringa olifera, Moringa Pods Gravy, Murungai kootu, Murungaikai kootu, TamilNadu cuisine

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Padma Rekha says

      June 18, 2016 at 5:29 am

      one of my favorite vegetable but never try this way interesting, will sure give a try……

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        June 18, 2016 at 9:39 pm

        Thanks a lot :-)

        Reply
    2. Mireille Roc (@ChefMireille) says

      May 01, 2016 at 9:56 am

      I’ve yet to try drumstick eventhough I have a bag of frozen for some time in the freezer need to try soon

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        May 01, 2016 at 4:13 pm

        :-) Please do try. Thanks

        Reply
    3. Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      April 25, 2016 at 7:31 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        April 25, 2016 at 9:17 pm

        :-) Thanks a lot Sandhya and please do try and let me know how it turned out.

        Reply
    4. harini says

      April 18, 2016 at 6:24 pm

      That is a good one. Never tried drumstick in kootu.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        April 19, 2016 at 8:30 am

        Thanks Harini.. Drumstick pretty much goes in every thing sambar, kootu, poriyal and even rasam. :-)

        Reply
    5. Priya Suresh says

      April 18, 2016 at 12:04 pm

      Can have this lipsmacking kootu simply with some rice and papads, so tempting dish.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        April 19, 2016 at 8:03 am

        Thanks a lot Priya.

        Reply
    6. Smruti | Herbivore Cucina says

      April 17, 2016 at 10:38 am

      That is such a flavorful and great recipe to use drumsticks. Totally love it!

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        April 17, 2016 at 7:11 pm

        :-) Thanks Smruti.

        Reply
    7. swapnakarthik says

      April 17, 2016 at 6:58 am

      Healthy kootu with murungai ….We add onions too,but your recipe looks so perfect ,Vid…

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        April 17, 2016 at 7:19 pm

        Thanks Swapna. Yeah onion adds more flavor.

        Reply
    8. Amara says

      April 16, 2016 at 4:17 pm

      Lovely kootu with all those ingredients. It’s a must try for me… Can’t wait:)

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        April 16, 2016 at 8:48 pm

        Thanks Amara. glad you liked it and let me know when you try it.

        Reply
    9. Pavani says

      April 16, 2016 at 2:01 pm

      That is a yummy yummy kootu Vidhya.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        April 16, 2016 at 8:49 pm

        :-) Thanks a lot Pavani.

        Reply
    10. Srivalli says

      April 16, 2016 at 3:58 am

      This surely a delicious wayou to cook drumstick…must have tasted yum with rice.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        April 16, 2016 at 8:50 pm

        Yes Valli. Thanks :-)

        Reply
    11. Vaishali Sabnani says

      April 16, 2016 at 12:07 am

      A kootu with drumsticks should be delicious, drumsticks are very nutritious and I make them often. A nice recipe, bookmarking.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        April 16, 2016 at 8:55 pm

        Oh yeah.. I love them too. Thanks a lot Vaishali.

        Reply
    12. Suma Gandlur says

      April 15, 2016 at 2:17 pm

      Kootu sounds yummly with that flavor paste. I have never tried drum sticks in a thick gravy.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        April 15, 2016 at 4:56 pm

        Thanks Suma.. :-)

        Reply
    13. cookingwithsapana says

      April 15, 2016 at 12:28 pm

      That is very interesting kootu.Would have tasted great with rice.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        April 15, 2016 at 4:56 pm

        Yeah.. Thanks Sapana

        Reply
    14. Gayathri Kumar says

      April 15, 2016 at 8:37 am

      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…

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        April 15, 2016 at 4:57 pm

        :-) :-) Great neighbors.. :-) Yeah true.

        Reply
    15. usha says

      April 15, 2016 at 7:51 am

      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

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        April 15, 2016 at 7:57 am

        Thanks a lot Usha. :-)

        Reply

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