Muringakka Thoran/ Drumsticks Thoran

I have been able to blog very little these days. But blogging has always been on the back of my mind and it kept on nagging me that I am not posting recipes frequently as much as I like. So today, I woke up determined to blog a new recipe and with camera in hand, entered the kitchen and started planning lunch menu. Checked my refrigerator and found some Drumsticks/ Muringakka. Okay, decided on a simple and healthy side dish - Drumsticks/ Muringakka Thoran. 

I wonder if there is somebody who doesnt like drumsticks. Both me and hubby absolutely love them. If by chance, I miss putting drumsticks in Sambar, then my hubby doesnt consider the one I prepared as proper Sambar !! He says without drumsticks, its Thattippu/Pattippu ( cheat version) Sambar. He he. We love Drumstick leaves too (Muringakka Ela). But getting fresh drumsticks itself here, is a big deal. We hardly find them in near by Indian grocery shops. Oh ya, Frozen drumsticks are available. Somehow I dont like them that much. So every 3 - 4 months, we travel to a bigger Indian market around 2 hours away to buy rarely obtainable veggies like Drumsticks, Bittergourd, Ivy Gourd, Raw Banana and the most precious commodity -  Curry Leaves :)

These days, grocery shopping has become like an outing for me. Well, its an opportunity for me to wear Indian attire and meet other Indians. And the outing lasts almost 2 - 3 hours and is done biweekly. From the larger grocery shop with worldwide products and exotic veggies to a smaller Indian shop with limited products to Walmart.. Initially after my marriage, my hubby used to be so excited to go for grocery shopping and me subdued in the background. After sometime, the roles reversed as my love for cooking increased... And as most Indian stores are fully crowded during week ends, my hubby's enthusiasm has completely dimmed by now. but I love to wander through the shops, manipulate around people trying to shop as much as they can, browse through items on the rack, wondering how to use them. Of course shopping is still on a budget. But there is no harm in roaming and gazing at all the items and then coming back and googling what ever new things I see. I call it learning and test my hubby's patience most time during the shopping :) He He :)

Coming back to today's recipe, It is very simple to make and can be made very quickly. Hardly 10 min and the dish is done. Check out the recipe. 

Drum stick Thoran / Muringakka Thoran:

Serves 2

Ingredients:

2 - 3 Drumsticks

3 - 4 shallots

4 - 5 Curry Leaves

3/4 - 1 cup grated coconut

1 Tbsp Oil

1 Tbsp Mustard Seeds

1/4 Tbsp Turmeric

1/2 Tbsp Chilly Powder

1/2 Tbsp Cumin Powder

Salt

Prepping:

Step 1: Cut the drumsticks into smaller pieces and slit through the middle to make them half. 

Step 2: Cut shallots. 

Step 3: Grate coconut. Add salt, turmeric, chilly powder and cumin powder and mix nicely. Sprinkle little water as well if the mixture is too dry. The mixture gives a nice flavor and I always add more :)

Method of Preparing:

Step 1: 

Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a pan. Once the oil becomes hot, add mustard seeds. Let it crackle. Then add shallots and curry leaves. 

Let the shallots become soft. Takes around 3 min. 

Step 2:

Now add drumsticks and mix well. 

Sprinkle some water and cover and cook for 3 - 4 min. Check in between and sprinkle some more water if needed. 

Step 3:

Once the drumsticks get almost cooked, add the coconut mixture and salt and mix well. Cover and cook for 3 min. Switch off and serve hot with rice. 

PS: I thought I had taken pic after adding coconut. Apparently I didnt :( Will try to get that one the next time.