Drumstick Leaves with Spicy Rice Podi

I wont call this a sabzi as this is not had with roti or rice it is actually a meal in itself as rice also is used in the recipe. This is a recipe specifically from that part of Kerala from where I come – north Kerala. I have not seen this recipe being made by any body else apart from my extended family.

It is an extremely healthy recipe as it is just lightly steamed and it doesn’t require even a drop of oil. Here comes the recipe…

Ingredients

3 cups raw drumsticks leaves,

¾ cup red boiled Kerala rice,

3 red chillies,

3 garlic cloves,

Salt to taste,

½ cup coconut

Method

Wash the drumstick leaves. Heat 3 cups of water to which salt has been added. When it boils add the drumstick leaves and mix well. Cook till the colour changes and it gets tender. Drain.

Heat a kadai and add the rice, add the rice and roast for sometime. Now add the red chillies and roast it till the red chillies turn crisp and the rice turns brown in colour.

Let this cool. Grind this into a coarse powder. Midway in the process add the garlic cloves and grind to a coarse powder.

Take the steamed drumstick leaves in a serving bowl and sprinkle the rice powder and mix well. Also mix in the fresh coconut. Serve immediately.

This tastes best fresh, as after sometime the rice powder gets soggy.