Fried Drumstick Masala

Drumstick known as muringa in Malayalam is a long pod like fruit with seeds. It is usually used as vegetable in most south Indian dishes. The leaves are also used in variety of cuisine's in South East Asia. My co-sis once told me that if u have a drumstick tree at home then it is like having a doc at home, as the drumstick/ muringa tree is useful in both food and medicine.

Every part of the tree is used from the bark,leaves,fruit & seeds.

For those of you who have not seen a drumstick,here is a picture.


If your looking for something different from the usual drumstick affair then you should try this dish & I'm sure you'll love...Always use tender & fresh drumstick to get more flavorful  dish.
I used byadgi red chilies to get a lovely red color & it's less spicy;you can also add the spicy red chilly if you prefer more spice....

Ingredients:
Serves:3

•  300 gm drumsticks.
• 10 byadgi red chilies.
• 1/2 tbsp coriander seeds.
• 100 gm onions.
•  1/2 tsp jeera /cumin seeds.
•  2 cloves.
• 2''cinnamon.
• 1 tbsp grated coconut or 4 tsp  cashew nuts.
• 1/2 tsp peppercorns.
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder.
• 100 gm tomato.
• 5-10 gm jaggery.
• Salt to taste.
• 4 tbsp oil + 1 tbsp oil.
• A handful of curry leaves.

Method :

• Chop the drumsticks in 5'' wash them well & peel the outer skin.
• Soak the red chilies (byadgi chilies) in hot water for 5 min & throw away the water.

•  Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan add 1 sliced onions,saute till transparent.
• Add the coriander seeds,jeer,cloves,cinnamon,peppercorns & saute for another 5 mins.

• Add the grated coconut or cashew nuts,turmeric powder & keep stirring saute for 1 min.

• Add salt, jaggery,soaked byadgi red chilies & tomato & cook till tomatoes are soft & grind to a fine paste.

• Marinate the drumsticks with ground masala for 1/2 hr.
• In a pan add the drumsticks with the masala & 1/2 cup water & cook them for 5 min & keep aside.

• Heat 4 tbsp oil in another pan add the curry leaves saute them for a sec..
• In the same pan add the drumsticks (removed from the masala ) & add to the hot oil..

•  Fry them for another 5 min (keep stirring). Cover & let it fry for 1-2 min..

• Now add the cooked masala & mix well (check the salt)...

• Cover & cook on slow flame till  the gravy thickens nearly dry & coats the drumsticks & the oil oozes out.
• Add  curry leaves if required for more aroma & mix well.

 

• Serve hot with hot pulkas or as a side dish with steamed rice & Toovar Dal 😋