Name: Moringa / Drumstick leaves spice powder / Munagaku podi
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 cup Munagaku / Moringa / Drumstick Leaves; 25 to 30 count Whole Red Chillies / Yendu Mirapakayalu ((long size)); ¼ cup Urad Dal / Black Gram / Minappappu; ⅛ cup Sesame Seeds / Nuvvulu / Til; ⅛ cup Cumin Seeds / Jeera; ¼ cup Coriander Seeds / Dhaniya; ¼ cup Peanuts / Palli; 1 small lemon Dry Tamarind / Sukhi Imli; 3 teaspoons Salt ((as per taste)); 2 tablespoons Sesame Oil; 10 cloves Garlic Cloves ((optional))

Recipe Cooked, Photographed and Written by Praveena

PrepTime:5mins CookTime:10 mins Cuisine:Indian

Moringa Leaves Spice Powder / Munagaku Podi is my latest favourite amongst the Indian spice powders, which are part and parcel of any Indian kitchen.

I was very much (you can underline that) waiting for a chance to make recipes with moringa leaves. And this is the first time I got to see some fresh leaves in my place. So, over excitedly and little greedily, I made few dishes consecutively in the same week… hahaha… But we did not get bored.

This is my first try making podi with these highly nutritious leaves. And you just have to try out!

How to serve ‘Moringa / Drumstick leaves spice powder / Munagaku podi’:

Moringa / Munagaku Podi is mainly a condiment / accompaniment. Hence, its best suitable South Indian breakfast items like idli, dosa, uthapam.

It can also be served as an accompaniment, in any of these Indian Meal platters, along with dal / pappu and Indian curry / koora.

The taste of the Yellow Moong Dal Idli / Pesarapappu Idli which we had for our breakfast, was sumptuous with this powder as a condiment. (as in the pic below)

Health Benefits of ‘Moringa / Drumstick leaves spice powder / Munagaku podi’ :

Moringa / Drumstick leaves give excellent merits to our health. Mainly these are very much suitable for diabetic diet and even for kidney patients. Highly nutritious, rich in iron, fibre and anti-oxidants. Suitable for Diabetic Diet and Anti-inflammation.

Tamarind is high in anti inflammatory & anti oxidant properties, that protects against cancer. The tamarind puree helps in reducing body weight.

Cumin / Jeera has many health benefits like Aids Digestion, Boosts Immune System, Treats Respiratory Disorders, Promotes Skin Health, Treats Insomnia, Prevents Diabetes, has antiviral and Antibacterial Properties and is High Source of Iron (info from internet).

To conclude, this spice powder recipe, is suitable for Plant based, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten free, kids friendly diets. And especially suitable for Diabetic diet and Anti-inflammatory diets.

Before starting to cook, don’t forget to see the Tips mentioned at the end.

My other Podi / Powder recipes here⇒ Powder / Podi

My Chutney Collection here⇒ Chutney / Pachchadi / Dip

Idli & Dosa recipes here⇒ Breakfast / Tiffin

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Ingredients:

Munagaku / Moringa / Drumstick Leaves – 1 cup
Whole Red Chillies / Yendu Mirapakayalu – 25 to 30 no.
Urad Dal / Black Gram / Minappappu – ¼ cup
Sesame Seeds / Nuvvulu / Til – half of ¼ cup
Cumin Seeds / Jeera – half of ¼ cup
Coriander Seeds / Dhaniya – ¼ cup
Peanuts / Palli – ¼ cup
Dry Tamarind / Sukhi Imli – size of small lemon
Salt – 3 teaspoons
Sesame Oil – 2 tablespoons
Garlic Cloves – 10 (optional)

Special Ingredients:

Dry Tamarind / Sukhi Imli
Peanuts / Palli

Step wise pics Procedure for ‘Moringa / Drumstick leaves spice powder / Munagaku podi’:

moringa / drumstick leaves used for making south indian style podi / powder — ***Moringa / Drumstick Leaves / Munagaku plucked, washed and wipe cleaned.***

all ingredients used for making south indian style munagaku podi / moringa leaves spice powder — ***All the ingredients taken into a plate.***

pulses set for roasting, to make the drumstick leaves spice powder recipe — ***Roasting all the ingredients except salt, dry tamarind, moringa / drumstick leaves, dry red chillies and*** **garlic cloves (optional)**

adding the spice dry chillies for roasting while making moringa leaves spice powder. — ***Dry Red Chillies, Dry Tamarind, Leaves and*** **garlic cloves (optional)** ***also added to the same pan and roasted .***

South Indian style, storage friendly spice powder / podi recipe using Fresh Moringa Leaves also called as Drumstick leaves. — ***All the roasted items, set for cooling down, then blend into a coarse powder after adding salt.***

Tips:

Be very careful while roasting the leaves, they might turn BITTER if you roasted for more than 2 mins.
Adjust the salt and spice as per your taste.
Let the roasted ingredients cool completely and only then grind/blend. If not the powder would be wet and would not have long shelf life.
Always use a clean & dry spoon for serving.
Using Store bought Moringa powder in this recipe: Just use that powder in the place of fresh moringa leaves, but use all the other ingredients just as it is.
Storage options: For longer shelf life, store it in an air-tight container at a cool dry place.
It stays fresh up to 1-2 months.

Result:

We had this, moringa/drumstick leaves spice powder / munagaku podi, as a condiment for steamed hot idli(s).
In every bit of this, moringa/drumstick leaves spice powder / munagaku podi, the flavour of moringa is very much felt.

Ingredients, Accessories on ‘AMAZON’ to ‘SHOP’:

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