Moringa n Lentils (Moringa Eriseri)

Moringa oleifera pods are rich in antioxidants, and nutritious with a plethora of health benefits. Moringa pulp & seeds in the pods are nutrient dense with many health benefits. They are a great source of iron, high in fiber, can regulate blood sugar, reduce joint pain, lower cholesterol, induce death of cancer cells, improve sleep, promote heart health and a healthy skin. They can be steamed, boiled or roasted.
In this recipe, Moringa is cooked in water and mixed with cooked lentils & ground coconut. The fried coconut topping adds a unique flavor and taste to this gourmet sauce served at wedding and new year feasts as well as temple festivals in Kerala – India.

History: Moringa tree is an evergreen tree, known with regional names Moringa oleifera, Kelor, Saijhan, Malunggay etc. growing in many parts of the world. The leaves, flowers and pods are full of nutrients being beneficial to humans and animals..The tree is grown in Africa, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and middle East, It has edible spherical shaped leaves & fruits with pulp and seeds inside, resembling drumsticks in a band. The delicious pulp has a distinct flavor like asparagus but the thick outer skin is not edible. It has to be chewed and discarded like the Artichoke

Health & Medicinal Benefits of Drumstick and leaves

• Ailments – Colitis, diarrhea, dysentery and jaundice patients can get relief with drumstick leaves ( Mix 1 tsp. fresh leaf juice+ 1/2 tsp. honey + 8 oz. tender coconut water)
• Bone density: Juice of drumstick leaves mixed in milk and drunk by children helps build strong bones. Increases bone density when consumed regularly for 2 month. Drumstick also acts as a blood purifier.
• Bronchitis and Tuberculosis : soup made from leaves consumed twice daily helps ease bronchitis, tuberculosis and relief rom air pollution.
• Blood sugar levels lowered: enhances function of gall bladder by decreasing sugar levels among diabetics plus maintain balance in non diabetics
• Improves digestion: helps intestine to boost the quality of gastric juice as kidney and liver function improve with B complex vitamins
• Pregnancy & Lactation: boosts breast milk production for lactating mothers (boil 1/2 cup leaves in water with salt, drain , mix with ghee – melted butter and eat).
• Reduces Cancer: Constant ingesting of drumsticks and its leaves decreases risk of cancer and speeds up recovery for breast cancer patients
• Reduces cramps during menstural period, also fibroid in the uterus

Method to cook Moringa Eriseri

• Dry roast mung lentils in a frying pan until golden and emits an aroma. (3 min.)
• Cook lentils with 2 cups water & turmeric in a saucepan / pressure cooker. (20 min.)
• While the lentils cook, snip ends and cut drumsticks into 3-4 ” pieces.(5 min.)
• Cook drumsticks in 2 cups water with salt and turmeric powder. (15 min.)
• Check to see if the drumsticks split open when squished.
• Mix cooked drumsticks with cooked lentils and simmer. (2 min.)
• Grinding
• Fry the cumin, lentils and chili in 1 tsp oil until lentils turn golden.
• Grind with coconut in a blender.
• Pour ground mixture on the lentil sauce and simmer. (5 min.)
• Tempering (Porichu kottal)
• Heat the oil to smoking hot in a frying pan.
• Add the mustard seeds and white lentils cover with a lid.
• When seeds splutter, add 1 tbsp. coconut and fry until golden; pour on eriseri sauce. (makes a sizzling sound)
• Garnish with washed and chopped curry leaves.(2 min.)

^{Serve Drumstick n lentils (Eriseri) with Rice, Rice noodles, Idli , Dosai or Dumplings.}

_{TIPS
Save cutting time: Use frozen vegetables:Brussels sprouts / okra/ carrots
Quick Eriseri: Dissolve Molagootal powder in 2 cups water, cook with vegetable, mix with 1/2 cup cooked lentils  & simmer
Variation: Substitute Green Plantains instead of drumsticks
To make Molagootal powder:
Mix 1 tbsp. urad dal powder+1 tsp. cumin powder+ 1/2 tsp. pepper powder+ 1/2 tsp red chili powder}