Moringa leaves also known as drumstick leaves are a super food. This simple recipe tells you how to make a quick dish using these leaves. Serve this stir fry with rice and rasam or sambar.

Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep time: 10 minutes
  • Cook time: 20 minutes
  • Total time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 3
  • Category: Side
  • Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients

  • 3 large potatoes ((boiled, peeled and cubed))
  • 2 cups drumstick leaves ((adjust to taste))
  • 3 garlic cloves (chopped)
  • 1 sprig curry leaves
  • 1 teaspoon urad dal ((optional))
  • 1 tablespoon chana dal ((optional))
  • 3 to 4 green chilies (slit or ½ teaspoon red chili powder)
  • ⅛ teaspoon hing ((asafetida))
  • 1 dried red chili ((broken, optional))
  • 1½ to 2 tablespoon Oil
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric
  • ½ to ¾ teaspoon cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon salt ((adjust to taste))

Method

Preparation

  1. Separate the leaves from the stalks and wash thoroughly in enough water, drain the leaves in a colander to remove water thoroughly.
  2. Option 1 - Boil potatoes al dente. I usually boil them in the instant pot for 7 to 9 minutes depending on the size. The potatoes must be just cooked and not mushy, Once done, peel the skin and cube them.
  3. Option 2 - You can also simply stir fry the potatoes first instead of boiling. For this cube the potatoes to ½ to ¾ inch pieces and keep them immersed in a bowl of water until used. When you are ready to add them to the pan, drain the water and rinse them once.

How to make drumstick leaves stir fry

  1. Heat a pan with oil. Add cumin, mustard, dal, garlic and red chili. Fry till the dal turn golden. Add curry leaves and green chilies fry for 1 to 2 mins.
  2. Add hing, boiled potatoes, salt, turmeric and fry for 3 to 4 mins. If using raw potatoes, stir fry them on a medium heat for 2 to 3 mins. Cover and cook on a low heat until fork tender. If required you may splash little water to help them cook faster.
  3. Increase the flame to medium high. Add the moringa leaves and fry till they wilt off. Keep stirring and fry. If the leaves are not tender, you may cover and cook.
  4. Serve drumstick leaves stir fry with rice and sambar or rasam.

Kiyaan Singh’s Kitchen Note

Keep this recipe as a working base: cook once as written, then adjust spice, texture, and serving style for your own table.