Hello friends! Today I am excited to share a nutritious, easy-to-whip-up recipe that promises great taste and packs a powerful health punch: the sumptuous Healthy Moringa Leaves Dal! Let me tell you the inspiration behind the Moringa Leaves Dal, also known as the Drumstick Leaves Dal recipe. My husband is a big fan of Moringa leaves, often grumbling about their lack of freshness when bought from the local market. After a not-so-great experience with wilted greens turning into a mediocre curry, we were on a mission to find the freshest moringa possible.Our search led us to the YMCA swimming pool, where he goes every morning for his swim. What a stroke of luck! A thriving Moringa tree stood right in its compound - brimming with life! He hadn’t noticed it earlier!With a simple nod of approval from the YMCA staff, he clambered onto a wall, plucked `em fresh off the tree, and came home with a bounty of clean moringa leaves, ready to be transformed into a culinary masterpiece!A Labour of LoveLet’s take a moment to appreciate the efforts that go into preparing these green delights. With my husband’s help, we plucked and cleaned the leaves - a process that, while time-consuming, is wholly gratifying. If you find some moringa leaves, I highly recommend doing weekend meal prep. You can easily clean and store the leaves in a vegetable storage box in the refrigerator. But use them soon, so that they are fresh.Why Moringa?You might wonder why there is so much fuss about Moringa. Well, it’s known as the “superfood.” It is rich in beta-carotene, vitamin C, potassium, iron, and other essential nutrients beneficial for all age groups. Moringa powder has become popular worldwide and is considered a dietary supplement. But friends, trust me _ the real magic lies in utilising fresh Moringa leaves in your cooking!In Kerala, the dish is often hailed as Muringa Ila Pulingari or Muringa Ila Parippu Curry. It is wholly satisfying, and the harmony of nutrient-dense Moringa, hearty toor dal, and aromatic spices elevates it to a league of its own.
Begin by plucking and cleaning Moringa leaves. Wash them well ensuring there are no stems. In a pan, gently cook the Moringa leaves with turmeric powder, salt, and a dash of water on low flame for 10 minutes. The slow-cooking method locks in all the flavours and nutrients.While the leaves are cooking, wash the toor dal well and pressure cook it with 1 cup water, turmeric powder, and chilli powder for about 3 whistles.
For the coconut paste, grind together grated coconut, shallots, cumin seeds, green chilies, and garlic into a fine paste, adding a splash of water to achieve a fine consistency. Once the dal is cooked, combine it with moringa leaves and let it simmer for another 5 minutes.Next, stir in the coconut paste and cook for 5 more minutes, before turning off the heat.
For Seasoning
Heat oil in a seasoning pan. Add mustard seeds and allow them to splutter. Toss in curry leaves, sliced onions, and green chillies, frying until they turn golden brown. Add sliced tomato and a pinch of asafoetida mixing everything well.Pour this fragrant seasoning over moringa dal curry and mix well. Sprinkle in roasted fenugreek powder over the dal for that extra layer of flavour.
Serving Tips
Serve this delightful curry hot, alongside steaming rice and a dollop of zesty homemade lemon pickle. So, there you have it—a beautiful recipe that is both delicious and nourishing. I hope you try this Moringa Leaves Curry with Toor Dal, making it a cherished addition to your family meals.
Notes
Notes & TipsSoaking dal or lentils before cooking improves digestion and helps absorb nutrients. It can also neutralise lectins, phytates, and phytic acid in the lentils, which may lead to gas and bloating in the stomach.Soaking dal also reduces the cooking time on the stove.
Keyword coconut, nutritious & healthy, superfood, toor dal