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Moringa dal in white bowl.
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5 from 2 votes

Moringa Dal (Dal with Drumstick Leaves)

This simple but tasty moringa dal features fresh leaves of the Indian drumstick or moringa tree simmered with garlicky lentils, spices and tomatoes.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 170kcal
Author: Vaishali · Holy Cow Vegan

Equipment

  • Pressure cooker or saucepan to cook lentils
  • Saucepan with lid

Ingredients

  • 1 cup toor dal (yellow split pea lentils or pigeon peas)
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric
  • ¼ teaspoon asafetida (hing, optional)
  • 1 tablespoon oil (any neutral oil of choice)
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 8 cloves garlic (thinly sliced)
  • 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
  • 2 medium tomatoes (diced)
  • ¼ cup peanuts (optional)
  • 1 large bunch moringa leaves (about 8 cups. Trim the tough stems and include only the leaves. You don't need to chop the leaves).
  • ½ to 1 teaspoon cayenne (or any red chilli powder. Use less for less heat)
  • 1 teaspoon tamarind paste
  • 1 tablespoon sugar (or jaggery)
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  • Pressure cook the lentils or cook them in a saucepan with the turmeric and four cups water until very tender.
    Lentils in saucepan with turmeric.
  • Use a whisk to beat the the cooked lentils until very creamy.
    Cooked lentils whisked until creamy.
  • Heat oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the cumin seeds and asafetida, if using. Sauté for a minute until cumin seeds darken a couple of shades. Lower heat to medium, stir in the garlic and sauté for a minute until the onion begins to turn golden.
    Garlic, cumin and asafetida in pan.
  • Add the onions with a pinch of salt. Sauté for 3-5 minutes until the onions are translucent.
    Onions sauteing in pan.
  • Add peanuts and tomatoes to the pot and mix. Cook until the tomatoes turn quite pulpy, another 3-5 minutes.
    Peanuts and tomatoes added to onions and garlic in saucepan.
  • Add the moringa leaves to the pot and stir them in.
    Moringa added to pot.
  • After a couple of minutes the quantity of moringa leaves would have reduced quite a bit.
    Moringa leaves in pan after they have cooked down for a couple of minutes.
  • Stir the cooked lentils into the pot and mix well. Add cayenne, tamarind and sugar or jaggery and mix. Let the dal come to a boil. Add salt to taste.
    Jaggery and tamarind added to moringa dal.
  • Continue to simmer the dal for five minutes. Turn off heat and serve hot or warm.
    Moringa dal simmering on stove.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 170kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Potassium: 210mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 486IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 2mg