Murungai Keerai Thanni Saaru

Murungai keerai thanni saaru is traditional delicacy from Tamil Nadu cuisine. This is a flavourful broth that is prepared with drumstick leaves which is cooked in rice soaked water also known as Kalani Thanni in Tamil. Thanni Saaru refers to watery broth (thanni means water and Saaru refers to broth in Tamil).

As we know that drumstick leaves also known as Murungai keerai is a power house of nutrients. It is rich in iron, calcium and Vitamins like A ,C and E. It is also rich in antioxidants and thus promotes overall health and well being.Apart from this drumstick leaves have anti inflammatory , anti bacterial properties and regular consumption of this super food aid in digestion, improve skin health and enhance energy levels.

The highlight of this recipe is that the drumstick leaves are cooked entirely in rice water which aids in enhancing the flavour and nutritional content of this dish.

This Murungai Keerai Thanni Saaru can be served as a soup or paired with steamed rice.

Check out how to prepare this traditional tasty Murungai keerai Thanni Saaru recipe below.

Ingredients 

Drumstick leaves ( Murungai keerai)-250gms

Rice Rinsed water( Kalani thanni)-1 1/2 -2 cups

Coconut milk -1/4-1/2 cup

Small onion-10 -12 nos

Tomato-1 no chopped 

Garlic -6 nos

Green Chillies-3 nos

Crushed cumin seeds and pepper-1 tsp

Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp 

Asafoetida-1/4 tsp 

Salt to taste

Mustard seeds-1/2 tsp

Fenugreek seeds-1/4 tsp 

Red chillies-1-2 nos

Oil -2 tsps

Murungai Keerai Thanni Saaru Recipe Video 

Method 

👉Wash and clean the drumstick leaves.

👉Heat oil in a kadai add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, red chillies and allow it to splutter.

👉Add small onions and garlic, green chillies and sauté well.

👉Add tomatoes and sauté well.

👉Now add the rice water , turmeric powder and bring to a rolling boil.

👉Add the crushed cumin and pepper powder.

👉Add in the drumstick leaves cook for 2-4 minutes until the leaves are tender.

👉Add required salt , mix well.

👉Finally add the coconut milk and cook for just 2 minutes and switch off the gas. 

👉This gravy should be watery so adjust consistency accordingly .

👉Serve hot with rice or drink as soup.

Preparation Time-20 minutes 

Serves-4 -5

Variations 

✍️You can add cooked moong dal or toor dal too .

✍️You can make this thanni saaru with any green leafy vegetables you like for example amaranth, arai keerai, mulai keerai and siru keerai and the most popular is using manathakkali keerai (night shade),but avoid pasala keerai or spinach.

✍️Instead of coconut milk you can grind 1/2 cup coconut with cumin seeds, pepper corns,  garlic and add this paste too.

✍️Some people will add tamarind extract and make it like Kulambu too .