Murungai Keerai Sambar

   This is my grandma's recipe.I like murunga keerai in any form,this sambar is so different and much flavor,very authentic south Indian recipe.

Nutritional Benefits of Drumstick Leaves:  drumstick pods and leaves are of great value as sources of acrotene, calcium, phosphorus and vitamin C.The leaves of the drumstick plant have great nutritional value. It contains 38 percent protein with all amino acids, making it a richer source of proteins compared to other vegetables

Ingredients

1. Drumstick leaves    1 bunch(remove from the stalk n keep aside)
2. Tuvar dal    3/4 cup
3. Garlic    3-4 no.s
4. Onion (pearl onions)     10-12 no.s
5. Tomato     2 medium(roughly chopped)
6. Tamarind Paste   1/4 tsp dissolved in 1/4 cup water
7. Red chilli powder     1 and 1/2 tsp
8. Coriander powder    1 tsp
9. Turmeric powder   1/4 tsp
10. Salt   to taste

To Temper

1. Oil/ghee     1-2 tsp
2. mustard  seeds    1/2 tsp
3. Cumin  seeds    1 tsp
4. Fenugreek seeds/methi seeds    10 no.s
5. Hing   1/4 tsp
6. Chana dal    1 tsp
7. Dry red Chillies   2-3 broken
8. Curry leaves     few leaves.

Method

• Cook tuvar dal with turmeric powder and 4 cups of water,when the dal is 80% done add pearl onions,drumstick leaves,tomatoes,garlic,chilli powder,coriander powder and enough salt, mix well and cook covered for 15 minutes.
• Stir occasionally.
• After 15 minutes,open the lid add the tamarind juice stir well and cook for another 5-7 minutes.
• After that lightly mash the keerai sambar , remove from the stove and keep aside.
• Now heat oil in a pan for tempering,add mustard seeds and fenugreek seeds and allow to pop then add cumin seeds,chana dal ,hing,broken red chillies and curry leaves fry lightly and add it to the cooked keerai sambar.
• Mix well and now the murunga keerai sambar is ready..serve with hot plain ricewith ghee/sesame oil on top.

Note:Instead  of chilli n coriander powder you can use sambar powder also.My grandma use to season with the special thalippu vadagam,which gives more flavor.will try to post that recipe also.If u don't have pearl onions,use 1/2 large onion(chopped).Add few drops of castor oil while u cook tuvar dal which helps to cook faster.seasoning with ghee gives more taste n rich flavor to the sambar.