Drumstick Curry Masala

Drumstick is popular with various local and regional names in India. I would locally address drumstick as Sehjan in Hindi and Moringa in English.

This particular Sehjan ki Sabji (Drumstick Curry Masala or Moringa Pod Curry)is a recipe inspired from a local eat away or Dhaba in Varanasi, visited years back, mustard oil used in the curry really made it so flavoursome. The dhaba had these growing on the tree, I saw the lady cook preferred using tender drumsticks and being curious to know I approached and threw my questions on her, calmly she replied tender ones are great for this curry as they cook quickly and deliver great flavour and taste.

It is fun to chew the pieces of drumstick which are quite fibrous and hard, the flesh lies in the middle of the stick which has to be either scraped out or you chew the stick to eat the flesh and then discard the fiber.

Drumstick Curry Masala

Pooja Yadav

Drumstick is popular with various local and regional names in India. I would locally address drumstick as Sehjan in Hindi and Moringa in English.

This particular Sehjan ki Sabji (Drumstick Curry Masala or Moringa Pod Curry)is a recipe inspired from a local eat away or Dhaba in Varanasi, visited years back, mustard oil used in the curry really made it so flavoursome. The dhaba had these growing on the tree, I saw the lady cook preferred using tender drumsticks and being curious to know I approached and threw my questions on her, calmly she replied tender ones are great for this curry as they cook quickly and deliver great flavour and taste.

It is fun to chew the pieces of drumstick which are quite fibrous and hard, the flesh lies in the middle of the stick which has to be either scraped out or you chew the stick to eat the flesh and then discard the fiber.

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 23 mins

Total Time 35 mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Indian

Servings 3

Ingredients

  

• 5-6 drumsticks 1-2 inch sized pieces, chopped
• 2 small to medium onions purée
• 1 small onion finely chopped
• 2-3 medium size tomatoes purée
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 2 tbsp coriander powder
• 1.5 tbsp red chilli powder
• 1 tsp kitchen king masala(optional)
• 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1-2 tbsp Indian yoghurt (optional)
• 1-2 strings fresh curry leaves
• salt to taste

Garnish

• 1 string fresh curry leaves

Instructions

 

• Cook the drumstick pieces
• Boiling Method

  In a heavy bottom sauce pan, add 700-800ml boiled water, pinch of salt and turmeric. Simmer for 8-10minutes.
• Avoid to overlook the drumstick pieces, as it’s important to retain their texture, without splitting it apart.
• In a different pan, add mustard oil and simmer on low heat, until raw smell goes off. Close the heat and let the oil settle in.
• Now on medium flame add mustard seed, curry leaves, chopped onion and sauté for for 1-2 minutes.Next add in purée onion and cook till the raw smell goes off and oil comes from the content, will take few minutes.
• Add in tomato purée and remaining spices( turmeric, coriander, kitchen king masala, chilli powder and salt), continue to simmer few minutes till it begins to leave the walls of the pan. Squeeze or add in lemon juice.
• Reduce the flame and gently stir in your just cooked drumstick pieces. Gradually add in whisked yoghurt by stirring gently, reduce or switch off the flame to prevent curdling of yoghurt .
• Take care the texture of the drumstick pieces remain intact, so do not overcook the curry.Use lid to cover should take around 10-15minutes to cook.
• Finish with fresh curry leaves. Serve with steamed rice, flaky paratha (Indian bread) and some salad

Notes

Mustard oil can be substituted with any other vegetable oil of your choice.

I prefer my drumstick curry with high tangy flavour hence used fresh lime juice and some Indian yoghurt which is slight sour in taste as compared to Greek yoghurt, just for that extra kick.
Moreover curd also delivers a uniform creamy texture to the gravy.
Please be free to adjust the tangy flavour as per your palate preference.

I have used homemade kitchen king masala, it is also available to buy in Asian Indian stores.