Sasmita The leaves of drumsticks are known as Moringa leaves / Drumstick leaves / Sajana saga (in odia). These leaves are one of my most favorite leafy greens from rest others. These are loaded with valuable minerals, vitamins and proteins which results in a variety of health benefits. The moringa leaves are a great energy booster and are an excellent source of nutrition too. In different types of cuisines, these leaves are widely used as a main ingredient also. But the drumstick leaves are somewhat tough to digest. So it has to make sure that the leaves get very tender while cooking any dish using these leaves.
Well for current month the event ‘A to Z Recipe Challenge‘ has come up with the alphabet D. That means, there must be a recipe post having the main ingredient name starting with alphabet D. So I opted D for Drumstick Leaves and I have prepared an Odia dish as ‘Drumstick Leave Fry with Moong Dal‘ aka ‘Sajana Saga Muga‘.
This dish is so simple yet much flavorful with few ingredients. First the drumstick leaves / sajana saga are separated from the stem and washed with plenty of water to discard the dusts which are always on top of the leaves. The moong dal used here is also dry roasted slightly and then cooked till soft, not mushy. The washed leaves and the cooked moong dal are simply fried to get the flavorful Sajana Saga Muga. I always prefer to use only garlic in any Odia style saga bhaja, but if desire some chopped onions can be added. This dish goes very well with some steamed rice dal combo or with pakhala / water rice. The sajana saga muga bhaja is very healthy and diabetic friendly too.
So do try this simple Odia dish as ‘Drumstick Leave Fry with Moong Dal‘ aka ‘Sajana Saga Muga‘. If you tried my recipe and enjoyed fully, then please share some pictures of your creation with me. Also give your valuable feedback either in the comment box below or tag me as #firsttimercook on Instagram. You may also follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Google+, Instagram and can subscribe for free to get new recipes directly into your inbox 😊
Preparation Time : 10 mins | Cooking Time : 20 mins
Ingredients :
|
Ingredients |
Measurements |
|
Drumstick leaves
(separated from stem and washed) |
1 ½ cup |
|
Moong dal (lightly roasted) |
½ cup |
|
Garlic clove |
3-4 no |
|
Panch phoron |
½ tsp |
|
Whole red chili |
1 no |
|
Turmeric powder |
¼ tsp |
|
Mustard oil |
1 tbsp |
|
Salt |
As needed |
Method :
- First wash the lightly roasted moong dal.
- Then put in a pressure cooker along with salt, turmeric and water (around 1-1.5 cup) and cook until done (the dal should not be mushy).
- Drain and keep aside the cooked moong dal.
- Now heat mustard oil in a pan.
- Add in whole red chili, panch phoron and allow to crackle.
- Next add slightly crushed garlic cloves and saute till the aroma of garlic comes out.
- Then add drumstick leaves and saute a bit.
- After that add cooked moong dal and salt.
- Mix everything well and allow to cook over low – medium heat by covering the pan with a lid.
- When the leaves become tender, then turn off heat.
- Serve hot as a side dish with steamed rice or water rice !
Notes :
- Along with garlic, some chopped onion can be used.
- Keep an eye while cooking the moong dal in order to avoid the mushy stage of moong dal.
PIN for later :
We make a kootu with drumstick leaves, South Indian style. Interesting to note the Odia version of the same! 🙂
Nice and healthy recipe. Using drumstick leaves in our meals is pending for long, haven’t used these till now.. shall give a try!!
I love drumstick leaves anydy. we grew up on tons of it as we had a couple of trees and always amma used to make this. Small change.,she never liked garlic.I guess i will try your version as my family likes a bit of garlic and i guess the panchoran will make a change from the south indian tadka
I must try this when I get the drumstick leaves.Looks so nice and healthy.
A simple yet flavourful, healthy regional stir fry option with Drumsticks. Looks wise, it looks very similar to a South Indian Stir fry veg called Paruppu usili which has a lentil based crumble like moong dal used here. Panchphoran tadka and garlic adds great flavour to the greens!
We make a similar version with methi. Will try your version with Drumstick leaves. Very healthy and awesome share for the letter D
Wow Sasmita such a healthy and yet nutritious dish. I'd love to have some with roti. Would love to try out this recipe when I can get some tender green drumstick leaves.
One of our family favourite stir fry, we dont forget to make this stir fry quite often and we love this dish with some rice and papads. Healthy stir fry.
I need to try this drum stick leaves soon, been reading but I hardly get them here.The stir fry looks delicious and we make something similar but add fenugreek leaves.
The moringa leaves look so fresh and I know they are super healthy. We usually make a dry dal preparation with spinach and I am now going to try and make the with moringa too! 🙂 Thanks for the recipe.
Thanks for a completely new recipe Sasmita. Dal with drumstick leaves and tempered with panch phoran. Wow I can imagine the taste. Superb share I will try it soon.
Love this healthy and tasty simple recipe. My mom use to make something similar like drumstick leaves and moongdal stir fry. Wish I could get tender drumstick leaves here to try this recipe.
Mung dal is my favourite dal and drumstick leaves are new to me…..Bookmarking this recipe…..will surely try 🙂
This one is my all time favorite…
We make a similar version with methi and moong dal. Loved your version with Drumstick leaves. Such a healthy and comfort food!!
A super healthy dish, power packed with all the nutrients and flavors. Awesome Share !!
Healthy and nutritious option to be served with paratha or rice. Loved it.
Another curry with drumstick leaves and this looks so good. Every region of india seem to used this versatile leaf. Lovely share
Looking at all these healthy recipes with moringa leaves, how badly I wish I could get hold of these leaves here ! Combining it with mung dal in a stir fry sounds flavorful and easy. Lovely share Sasmita !
I have never made a simple stir-fry with drumstick leaves and you are tempting me to try this right now. Healthy too.