DRUMSTICK CURRY

DRUMSTICKS CURRY

I was recently reading an article which highlighted the health benefits of Drumsticks- so commonly available in all parts of India. Drumsticks are called Muringakkai in Tamil, Nuggekai in Kannada, Mulakkada in Telugu, Sahajan in Hindi, Shevga in Marathi and Mashingasaang in my mother tongue, Konkani. 

As they are so good for health- and very tasty too- in my house, we make dishes with drumsticks quite often. Interestingly, the leaves of the drumstick are also used in cooking. 

Elsewhere in this blog, you will find recipes for dishes made with Drumsticks, such as:-

• Potato and Drumsticks Upkari
• Murungakkai Kara Kuzhambu
• Drumsticks Tomato Curry
• Shevgyacha Shenganche Pithla

Today's recipe is from Andhra Pradesh. It goes well with hot steamed rice as well as with rotis. I have adapted this from Drumsticks Curry in Hebbar's Kitchen. 

We enjoyed it with hot steamed rice! 

Ingredients:

• Drumsticks, 2
• Onion, 1
• Tomatoes, medium-sized, 2
• Mustard Seeds, 1 tsp
• Cumin Seeds, 1 tsp
• Asafoetida, (Hing), 1/8 tsp 
• Curry Leaves, a few'
• Ginger Garlic Paste, 1 tsp
• Turmeric Powder, 1/2 tsp
• Chilli Powder, 1 tsp
• Coriander Powder, 1 tsp
• Cumin Powder, 1/2 tsp
• Garam Masala, 1 tsp
• Salt, to taste
• Oil, 2 tbsp
• Coriander Leaves, 2 tbsp

To Be Roasted & Ground To A Paste:-

• Groundnuts, 2 tbsp
• Sesame, (Til),  2 tbsp
• Copra/ Dry Coconut, 2 tbsp
• Poppy Seeds, (Khus Khus) 2 tsp

Method:-

Wash and peel the drumsticks. Snip off the two ends. Cut the drumsticks into 1 and 1/2 " pieces

Finely chop the onion and coriander leaves

Chop the tomatoes

Firstly cook the drumstick pieces in adequate water adding a little salt till they get done 

(Keep in mind the drumsticks get cooked quite fast). Keep aside 

Dry roast the groundnuts in a thick bottomed kadhai till they get spotted

Add sesame seeds, copra, and poppy seeds and roast on medium heat till the sesame seeds splutter and the roasted ingredients become aromatic 

Remove the roasted ingredients to a plate and allow them to cool completely

Transfer to a mixer jar and grind on pulse mode till they get crushed

Add 1/2 cup of water and grind to a smooth paste. Keep aside

In the same kadhai, heat 2 tbsp oil and on medium heat add the mustard seeds, when they splutter add cumin seeds, and when they sizzle, add asafoetida and curry leaves and saute for a few seconds

To this add the finely chopped onion, ginger garlic paste and saute till the onion becomes translucent  and the raw smell of the ginger garlic paste goes

Lower the heat, add turmeric powder, chilli powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, Garam Masala powder and salt to taste. Mix well. Remember that you had added a little salt already while cooking the drumsticks. 

To this add the chopped tomatoes and cook till the tomatoes turn soft and mushy

Next mix in the freshly prepared ground masala paste 

Cook on medium heat till the oil separates

Add the cooked drumstick pieces, mix well and add water as required to get a curry like consistency 

Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for a couple of minutes.

Switch off the gas and garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves

Transfer to a serving bowl and serve Drumstick Curry with hot steamed rice or chapatis