Drumstick Leaves Dal - South Indian Style

           Today let me share my version of a typical South Indian style tangy dal cooked with drumstick leaves. It is very yummy and is best enjoyed with hot steamed rice and a drizzle of some ghee if preferred and papad as accompaniment. It can also be relished with chapatti. So check the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this healthy protein rich dal.

          Drumstick leaves in general has a lot of health benefits and is very nutritious. They are used to make yummy dal (lentil curry) in many parts of India where it goes by different names. There are various methods of preparing it and every individual and home has their own unique way of cooking this dal. 

• 1/2 cup tuvar dal (pigeon pea lentil), soaked for 30 minutes
• 1 cup (tightly packed) drumstick leaves
• 1 tomato, roughly chopped
• 2-3 green chilies
• 2 tbsp. oil
• 2-3 dry red chilies, broken
• 1/2 tsp. mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp. cumin seeds
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• 5-6 garlic, chopped / crushed
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• salt to taste
• 1 tsp. tamarind paste

          Pressure cook the soaked dal, drumstick leaves, tomatoes and green chilies with 1 & 1/2 cups water for 4-5 whistles. Mash slightly and keep aside.

          Heat oil in a pan. Temper with mustard seeds, cumin seeds, dry red chilies, curry leaves and garlic. Sauté till the garlic changes colour.

    Add turmeric powder and salt and give it a stir. Add the boiled dal and tamarind paste. Simmer for 4-5 minutes on a low flame. 

          When done, switch off the flame and serve with hot steamed rice and papad as accompaniment.






Note - 
You may add some chopped onions if you like. In that case, sauté them in oil along with the tempering before adding the boiled dal. 

                      Pressure cook soaked dal, drumstick leaves, tomatoes & green chilies 
                      with 1 & 1/2 cups water for 4-5 whistles. Mash slightly & keep aside.

                       Heat oil & temper with mustard seeds, cumin seeds, dry red chilies, 
                       curry leaves & garlic. Sauté till the garlic changes colour.

                        Add turmeric powder and salt and give it a stir. 

                       Add boiled dal & tamarind paste. Simmer for 4-5 minutes. 

                                 Serve with plain steamed rice.