Stir Fried Moringa Leaves

Moringa or drumstick tree is native to the Indian subcontinent, a super food with lots of health benefits and nutrients. Recently moringa got its popularity all over the world. Moringa powder is sold in health food stores but cooking fresh moringa is a delicacy. Fresh moringa leaves and flowers have a subtle flavor and slightly bitter taste and it can be used in so many tasty Bengali recipes.

Unlike monringa leaves or flower, moringa pods/shojhne daNta are  very popular seasonal vegetable for Bengali cuisine. I bought a bunch of fresh and tender moringa leaves and cooked it for the first time as I never got to taste while growing up. This is a simple stir fry with potato, soaked roasted mung beans, coconut and little spices. I love the crunchy peanuts at the end but that's optional. This is a very similar recipe of Red Amranth Mismash that goes well with plain rice. Stems are very woody, so only the leaves are used. This stir fry turned out really good and I would try some more recipes if I find fresh tender leaves again. 

Ingredients~

(US customary units)

1 bunch moringa leaves, washed

1/4 cup roasted yellow mung beans, soaked in water for 30 minutes and drained

1/2 cup small dices potatoes

1 bay leaf

1 dry red chili

1/4 tsp kalonji/onion seeds

1/4 tsp minced ginger

1/3 cup freshly grated or desiccated coconut

1/3 tsp salt or as needed

1/3 tsp turmeric powder

2-3 green chilies, thinly sliced 1 chili slit

1/4 cup roasted broken peanuts

1 tbsp mustard oil or any oil

Method~

Heat oil in a heavy bottomed pan over medium heat. Temper bay leaf, onion seeds and dry red chili for a few seconds. Immediately add in potatoes and stir fry for a minute. Add in the ginger, coconut, turmeric, salt and sliced chili. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until potatoes are just tender. Add in drained mung beans, moringa leaves and whole chilies and mix everything gently, cover and cook on low heat for 5-6 minutes stirring in between until everything is cooked through. Taste and adjust the seasonings. Sprinkle roasted peanuts and mix well. Serve with plain rice. 

Happy Cooking!