Drumsticks Curry(Sahjan ki sabzi or Sutti ki sabzi)

Drumsticks in India is called by so many names like "sahjan", "sutti", "Murungai" and so on. It is said as power house of minerals. This is a tree whose every part is brought into use. The pods, drumsticks are used for making curry and sambar. The flower are used in making dumplings, curry and in so many other ways. Leaves are used along with lentils and sometimes served as just stir fry. All these parts are used in different ways in Ayurveda to cure diseases. 

I have been feeling nostalgic hearing my mom sometimes saying she is having drumsticks flower pakora's or the saag . Recently she told me that she had prepared the drumsticks and i could not stop my self. I rushed to Indian store to grab a few of them to make curry. I just prepare the curry with minimal spices and with mustard and poppy seed paste. I like to keep it simple yet juicy and flavorful. I also like the pickles prepared from the drumsticks. The fresh mustard and poppy seed paste's aroma is just enchanting. I use this paste in number of my curry's.

Serves- 4 people
Preparation time - 5 minutes
Cooking time - 15 minutes
Total time- 20 minutes
Level of difficulty- easy

Ingredients:

• Drumsticks- 2 long ,(slender sticks tastes better to me) Washed and cut into 2 inch long pieces.
• Potato- 2 large size, cubed 1 inch thick 
• Onion- 1 medium size, chopped
• Tomato- 1 medium size, chopped
• Green chilli- 1 or as per taste
• Salt as per taste
• Oil for cooking
• Turmeric powder- 1 Tsp
• Pepper powder- 1 Tsp
• Coriander Powder- 1 Tbsp
• Mustard seeds- 50 g
• Poppy seed- 50 g
• Water for cooking

Preparation:

• Prepare the paste . Add the mustard seeds and poppy seed in the blender add water and leave aside for 5 to 10 minutes. after 10 minutes blend into fine paste .
• Heat 2 Tbsp of oil in a kadai.
• Add the green chilies and onion. Saute until onion becomes translucent.
• Now add the drumsticks and potato. Season with salt and stir once. Cover and cook for 5 minutes at low to medium flame. Stir in between frequently to avoid burning of the drumsticks.
• After 5 minutes of cooking , add the turmeric Powder, pepper powder, coriander powder and tomato. Fry until tomatoes are done.
• Add the mustard and poppy seed paste. Add 1 to 2 cup of water and let it simmer for 5 to 10 minutes in low heat.
• After 5 minutes check if you have achieve the desired consistency in your gravy, turn off the heat .

Serve hot with Rice or Chapati. Enjoy!!

Happy Cooking :-)

By- Sushmita Pandit.