Murungakkai (Drumstick) vengaya kari

I got this recipe from my maternal grandmother. Whenever I go there, this kari was one of the items that she would specially make it for me as I liked it very much. I used to devour it singlehandedly whenever it was made and she used to laugh at the way I eat this kari. Such wonderful times.

Serves  2

Ingredients:

Drumstick fresh/frozen                                                                5 nos/ 1 pack

Red onion                                                                                   1 large (2 if medium sized)
Salt                                                                                            As needed
Red chilli powder                                                                        1 tsp
Oil                                                                                             2 tsps
Mustard seeds                                                                              To temper


Method:

1.) If fresh, cut drumsticks into 3.4 th of finger length pieces.

2.) Add some water in a stir fry pan and add fresh/frozen cut drumsticks and boil them until drumsticks kind of turn very soft and are nearly breaking but should not. Add salt in-between when the drumsticks are 3/4th cooked  and let it cook until the above mentioned consistency. Strain excess water.
3.) Peel and dice onions as small as possible.
4.) Heat the stir fry pan, add oil and mustard seeds to splutter.
5.) Add diced onions and mix till translucent. Add just enough salt for the onions and red chilly powder and keep mixing until its evenly spread. Cook until the raw smell of red chilli powder goes away.
6.) Add boiled drumsticks and mix well. Turn the heat to low and let the flavours infuse. It will take five minutes. Mix well occasionally using a very light hand, careful not to break drumstick pieces.
7.) Switch off the stove and serve as a side with sambhar , rasam and curd rice.

You have to taste it to believe that something can taste and smell so divine.