Drumstick Leaves + Pepper

This is a healthy side dish. Mom says it is good to have it with rice when somebody has cold. It is also given to pregnant ladies especially during the prenatal, perinatal and postnatal period. It is said that Drumstick leaves' juice has the tendency to increase lactation and also helps in promoting labor pains.

Ingredients
Drumstick Leaves: 2 cups (remove the twigs)
Coconut : 1/2 cup (grated)
Black Pepper: 2 tbsp
Jeera/Cumin seeds: 1 tbsp
Curry Leaves: 2 sprigs (remove the twigs)
Turmeric: 1 tsp.
Garlic: 3- 5 cloves (skin peeled)
Salt: To taste
Water: As needed.
Oil: 2 tbsp

Method:
Take coconut, black pepper, cumin seeds, and curry leaves in a blender and do it till it becomes a soft paste.

Heat a round bottomed vessel with the paste put into it and add a little water to bring it to flow consistency. Allow the mix to boil well. Now add drumstick leaves to it and 2 or 3 cloves of garlic and allow it to boil well. Once the leaves are cooked add needed salt. Green leaves usually need less salt. Now the gravy is ready. It can be consumed as such. But some may prefer to season it.

For seasoning:

Heat oil in a tawa. Add mustard allow it to splutter. Crush the remaining garlic cloves and add it to the oil. Saute it till it becomes golden brown and then add this to the gravy.

This dish is rich in iron, vitamins and calcium.