Drumstick - Potato Curry / Sambar

Drumstick is one of the favourite vegetable of many people. The aroma of drumstick loved by them. And the juicy drumstick is very nice to chew and it contain full of nutritious value.

I have used Potatoes, drumsticks, sambar powder, toor dal and little coconut. The curry is really delicious and all the main dishes can be enjoyed with this Drumstick - Potato Curry.

Let us see what do they call drumstick in some of our Indian States.
Drumstick's Scientific name is Moringa Oleifera.
Drumsticks /Nuggekai in Kannada language - Karnataka, Murungakkai in Tamil. Muringakkaya or Muringakka in Malayalam. Munnakaya Mulaku Kada and in Hindi it is Sajjam Ki Phalli, Saigan, shinga segva. In Bengali Sajane Dauta and in Gujarathi Saragvani Shing and in Konkani Moska Saang/ Massingasaang, Marati - shevaga/Sheng and in Panjabi - Savonjna and in Tulu Nurge.

 Let us see some benefits of Eating Drumsticks in our diet.
Drumstick is filled with nutritious value.
They do contain calcium, vitamins, zinc and iron. They are rich in B -Complex vitamins, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B 1, B-2, B-3. Vitamin A, Vitamin C and magnesium.
Drumstick and its leaves helps to control blood sugar level in our body. They help to improve digestive help. It helps in building the strong bones in our body. It helps to purify the blood. It helps to relieves respiratory disorders. It helps to boost immunity in our body. It contain antioxidant properties.
Caution :Pregnant women should not consume drumsticks or its leaves. Eating Drumstick curry or any other form might cause abortion.
Let us see the recipe Now :

Things Needed :

To Cook :
Drumstick : 4 to 5
Toor dal : 1/2 Cup. ( 3 to 4 Tablespoons )
Potatoes : 2 to 3

To Grind :
Sambar powder : 2 Tablespoons
Jeera /Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Coconut : 1 Small Cup /3 to 4 Tablespoons
Tamarind Pulp : 1 Tablespoon

To Add :

Seasoning : Mustard, curry leaves and ingh and Oil
Salt : As required
Coriander leaves : 2 Tablespoons ( Optional )
Turmeric powder : A pinch

Method :

1. Wash and cut drumsticks into small pieces. Peel of the outer layer of drumstick.
2. Wash and cut potatoes into pieces.

3. Wash toor dal and pressure cook drumstick pieces, potato pieces and toor dal with required water.

4. Soak a small marble size of tamarind in hot water and squeeze out the pulp.
5. Grate coconut and grind it with, 1/2 Teaspoon jeera,  tamarind pulp and sambar powder. Add required water to grind.

6. Remove the ground coconut mixture and keep it aside.
7. Keep a pan on the fire and put cooked drumstick, potatoes and toor dal. Add required salt.

8. Add a pinch of turmeric powder. Mix all the ingredients slowly. Let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes.
9. Add ground coconut - spice mixture and mix it slowly. Let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes.
10. Shift the ready Drumstic Potato Curry to a serving dish.

11. Prepare seasoning with mustard seeds, curry leaves and ingh and add it to ready to serve sambar.
12. Add cut coriander leaves and serve Drumstick - Potato Sambar with the main dish you have prepared.

Note :

Do not over cook potatoes and drumsticks. You cook it separately. Adding any brand of sambar powder is optional. Adding jeera while grinding helps the curry to be free from gas formation in the stomach. I did not peel off potatoes. Adding garlic and onions to curry is optional. Stir the curry slowly.
Time : 30 Minutes.
Serves : 4 to 5.

Baragu /Prosso Millet Coconut Rice

Baragu / Prosso Millet is one of the grain from Millet family. I have tried coconut rice using Baragu / Prosso Millet. Here is a simple and healthy recipe that you can try for this Makara Sankranthi Festival.

I used prosso millet, coconut, red chilly and some spices like mustard seeds and urid dal.
As I said it is simple, healthy and easy.
Millet do not contain fat. It is free from cholesterol and rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals.It is gluten free and good for diabetes and helps to control blood pressure in our body.
Let us see the recipe :

Things Needed :

Prosso /Baragu Millet :  1 Big cup
Water : 2 cups
To Season : Oil : 2 Tablespoons
Ghee : 3 to 4 Tablespoon
Red chilly : 3 to 4
Mustard Seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1 Teaspoon
Curry Leaves : 1 Handful
Cashew Nuts : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Coconut : Fresh /Grated : 4 to 5 Tablespoons.
Salt : As Required

Ready to serve Baragu /Prossso Millet Coconut Rice 

Method :

1. Clean and wash baragu/prosso millet.

2. Add 2 cups of water and cook in pressure cooker. ( Use the same measuring cup to add water).
 ( It is 1 : 2,  1 prosso millet and 2 cups of water). Allow it to cool.
3. Now spread the prosso millet in a big plate. Millet get to normal temperature.

4. Wash curry leaves and cut into small pieces.

5. Keep a big pan on the fire and add  2 tablespoons of oil to the pan.
6. Add mustard seeds and urid dal. Urid dal turns golden brown and mustard seeds splutter.
 7. Add red chilly and fry.
8. Add cut curry leaves and cashew nuts. Fry cashews in hot oil till they turn golden colour.
9. Add cooled Baragu/Prosso Millet and required salt. Stir slowly and mix it well.

10. Now add coconut and 3 to 4 tablespoons of ghee and mix it nicely.
11. Let it cook on low flame for 2 to 3 minutes. Shift the ready Baragu /Prosso Millet Coconut Rice to a serving dish.

12. Simple, Mild and healthy Baragu /Prosso Millet Coconut Rice is ready to serve.

Note :

Use only twice the quantity of water to cook any millet. It does not take much water. Adding more ghee is optional. It adds to the taste. Adding green chilly instead of red chilly is optional. Taste may differ. Use of red chilly is traditional. Use of any cooking oil is optional. Fresh coconut gratings adds to the taste. Do not cook much after adding coconut. ( 2 to 3 minutes will be enough to get good aroma and the good benefits of coconut).
Time : 30 Minutes.

Serves : 3 to 4 .