Murungai-Mochai Kulambu (Drumsticks & Lentils Curry)

This is another of those traditional tamilian recipes... I categorize them as "devolved-from-grandma" recipes.. meaning, they've been passed over from grandmas generation after generation. We call it 'Mochai puli kulambu'. Mochai paruppu (Papdi lilva/Lima beans) is consumed fresh in our part of India and has an awesome taste however we make it. It could be stir-fried and enjoyed as a side dish or could be combined with other vegetables in a form of puli kuzhambu.. Oh, it goes well with mutton as well!

I somehow believe that a traditional diet is better than any of the modern western diets - in terms of nutrients as well as calories.. This mochai paruppu is full of proteins and very nutritional. Of all the puli kulambu varieties, this one is my favorite! I usually make this with drumsticks, but you could substitute with brinjal as well.

Ingredients:

• Mochai paruppu (Papdi Lilva) - 2 cups (frozen or fresh)
• Drumsticks cut into 2 inch pieces - about 10
• Onions - 1 medium
• Garlic - 6
• Tomato - 1 medium
• Chilli powder - 1.5 tsp
• Corriander Powder - 2.5 tsp
• Tamarind juice - 1/2 cup
• Shredded Coconut - 1/4 cup
• Fennel seeds - 1 tsp
• Kas Kas, fenugreek seeds (methi) - 1/2 tsp
• Mustard seeds, cumin seeds - 1 tsp each
• Curry leaves - a handful
• Corriander leaves - a handful

Procedure:

• Heat oil (a little extra oil) in a pan and season with mustard, cumin and fenugreek seeds.
• While they splutter, add chopped onions, chopped garlic, curry leaves and corriander leaves and fry until onions turns to golden brown.
• Add chopped tomatoes, chilli powder and corriander powder and fry until tomatoes lose shape.
• Pressure cook this mixture together with Mochai paruppu, drumsticks and salt, by adding a little water. (don't overcook the veggies.. The cooking timings vary depending on the pressure cooker).
• Meanwhile make a paste of the coconut, fennel seeds and kas kas.
• When the veggies are done, open the pressure cooker and add the coconut paste and tamarind juice.
• Adjust salt and chilli powder to suit to your taste..
• Let it boil for 5 mins in high heat...

Enjoy with Plain rice.