Drumstick Dal (Moringa Lentil Stew)
Summary
- A flavorful and nutritious Indian lentil stew made with drumsticks (moringa pods), cooked with a aromatic tempering of spices, onions, and tomatoes. This hearty dal is perfect to serve with steamed rice for a wholesome meal.
All Ingredients - For the Dal
- Masoor Dal (Red Lentils) 1/2 cup
- Toor Dal (Split Pigeon Peas) 1/2 cup
- Water (for cooking dal) 3 cups
- Turmeric Powder 1/2 tsp
- Salt 1/2 tsp
All Ingredients - For Tempering and Masala
- Oil 2 tbsp
- Mustard Seeds 1/2 tsp
- Cumin Seeds 1/2 tsp
- Curry Leaves 8-10 leaves
- Green Chilies 2-3, slit
- Ginger-Garlic Paste 1 tsp
- Onion 1 medium, sliced
- Tomato 1 medium, chopped
- Red Chili Powder 1 tsp
- Coriander Powder 1.5 tsp
- Cumin Powder 1 tsp
- Garam Masala 1/2 tsp
- Water (for cooking masala) 1/4 cup
- Drumsticks (Moringa Pods) 2-3, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
- Tamarind small lemon-sized ball, soaked in 1/4 cup water for pulp
- Coriander Leaves (for garnish) 2 tbsp, chopped
Tools You'll Need
- Pressure cooker
- Pot
Don't have an ingredient? Try these swaps
No Curry leaves?
- 1 bay leaf + a pinch of lemon zest — Aroma only — flavor is unique.
No Garlic (fresh)?
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder (per clove)
- 1/2 tsp garlic granules (per clove)
No Onion?
- 1 tbsp onion powder (per medium onion)
- 3 tbsp dried minced onion
- Shallots or leeks (1:1)
No Garam masala?
- 1 tsp cumin + 1/2 tsp coriander + 1/4 tsp cinnamon + 1/4 tsp cardamom
No Cilantro?
- Flat-leaf parsley (1:1, milder)
- Fresh mint (in chutneys, salads)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dal
Wash 1/2 cup Masoor dal and 1/2 cup Toor dal thoroughly. Add them to a pressure cooker with 3 cups of water. Add 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Pressure cook for 3-4 whistles until the dal is soft and mushy.
Step 2: Prepare Vegetables
Peel and cut 2-3 drumsticks into 2-inch pieces. Chop 1 medium onion and 1 medium tomato. Slit 2-3 green chilies. Soak a small lemon-sized ball of tamarind in 1/4 cup of warm water to extract pulp.
Step 3: Start Tempering
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pot over medium heat. Add 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds and let them splutter for .
Step 4: Add Cumin and Aromatics
Add 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds and let them crackle for . Add 8-10 curry leaves and 2-3 slit green chilies. for .
Step 5: Add Ginger-Garlic and Onions
Add 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste and for until fragrant. Add the chopped onion and cook for until it turns translucent.
Step 6: Add Tomatoes and Spices
Add the chopped tomato and cook for until it softens. Add 1 teaspoon red chili powder, 1.5 teaspoons coriander powder, 1 teaspoon cumin powder, and 1/2 teaspoon garam masala.
Step 7: Cook the Masala
Mix the spices well with the onion-tomato mixture. Add about 1/4 cup of water to prevent burning and help the spices cook. Cook for , stirring occasionally, until the oil separates from the masala.
Step 8: Add Drumsticks
Add the cut drumstick pieces to the pot. Mix them thoroughly with the masala. Add about 1/2 cup of water, cover the pot, and cook for until the drumsticks are tender.
Step 9: Combine with Dal
Pour the cooked dal from the pressure cooker into the pot with the drumsticks and masala. Mix everything well.
Step 10: Add Tamarind Pulp
Add the extracted tamarind pulp to the dal. Stir well to combine.
Step 11: Simmer and Garnish
Bring the dal to a gentle and let it cook for for the flavors to meld. Garnish with 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped coriander leaves.
Step 12: Serve
Serve the hot Drumstick Dal with rice.
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