Moringa Leaves Dal recipe is a comforting and an easy one-pot pressure cooker recipe made with moong dal, moringa leaves (drumstick leaves), tomatoes, indian spices.

Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep time: 10 minutes
  • Cook time: 15 minutes
  • Total time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup moong dal (yellow split moong lentils)
  • 1 cup tender moringa (drumstick leaves) (tightly packed)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin (jeera) seeds
  • 2-3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 stalk curry leaves
  • 2-3 green chilies
  • 8-10 pearl onions (shallots) (or 1 small onion, finely chopped)
  • 1 small tomato (finely chopped)
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • salt (adjust to taste)
  • juice of half lime
  • 2 tablespoon coriander leaves

Dry Spices

  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garam masala

Method

  1. Firstly, wash the moringa leaves thoroughly and remove the stems.

Stovetop Method

  1. Rinse the mung dal thoroughly, repeating the process 2-3 times until the water runs clear. Pressure cook ½ cup of rinsed moong dal with 1 ½ cups of water in the Instant Pot or traditional stovetop pressure cooker.
  2. Instant Pot: Pressure cook on Manual (High Pressure) for 6 minutes followed by natural pressure release. Stovetop Pressure Cooker: Pressure cook on high heat for 2 whistles and wait for natural pressure release. Then, using a whisker or ladle, mash the cooked dal for a smoother consistency.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons oil (or ghee) in a kadai, add mustard seeds and cumin seeds, and let them splutter.
  4. Next, add minced ginger, garlic, green chilies and curry leaves. Saute for a few seconds until the raw smell goes away.
  5. Add finely chopped onions and saute until they turn translucent.
  6. Then add finely chopped or pureed tomatoes and cook until the tomatoes are soft and mushy.
  7. Then add moringa leaves and saute for 1-2 minutes or till the leaves wilt.
  8. Then add the cooked and mashed moong dal, spices like turmeric, red chili powder, salt. Add ½ to 1 cup of water to adjust the consistency of the dal. Mix until well combined. Bring it to a boil. Next, simmer for 2-3 minutes on medium-low flame.
  9. Lastly, add some garam masala, lemon juice, and coriander leaves. Mix well. Turn off the heat. Serve this moringa dal hot with basmati rice, pickle, papad, roti, or naan.

Instant Pot Method

  1. After washing and rinsing the dal, set your Instant Pot to SAUTE mode. Heat oil, once it's hot, add mustard seeds and cumin seeds, and allow them to crackle.
  2. Next, add minced garlic, green chilies, curry leaves, and saute until the raw smell of garlic goes away.
  3. Add shallots (or chopped onions) and saute for a minute. Then add chopped tomatoes and cook till they turn soft.
  4. Add drumstick (moringa leaves), and saute for a minute till the leaves wilt. Then add water and deglaze the pot to avoid the BURN notice.
  5. Finally, add rinsed moong dal, turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala, and salt, and give a stir.
  6. Close the lid on the Instant Pot. Set the value to ' SEALING '. Pressure Cook on 'High' for 6 minutes. Once the pot beeps, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.
  7. Lastly, remove the lid away from you, and add cilantro and lemon juice. Also, adjust the consistency of the dal at this point if desired.
  8. Instant Pot Moringa/Drumstick leaves dal is ready and served hot with steamed rice and quinoa.

Stovetop Pressure Cooker Method

  1. Follow the same steps as above for the stovetop pressure cooker. Cook for 2-3 whistles on medium heat, and allow the pressure to release naturally. All other steps remain the same.

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.