Moringa leaf powder is a great alternative to meat, because of the high protein content, especially for vegetarians. Moringa contains the amino acids, aregenine and histidine which are essential for infants and it is also a boon to combat malnutrition in the under-privileged regions of the world.
Moringa powder is more concentrated than the whole dry leaves. It can be used in many different ways such as in smoothies, yogurt, cole-slaw, salad dressing, garlic butter, chip or veggie dip, milk shake, on sliced tomatoes, in guacamole, sprinkled on popcorn, in tacos and salsas. There are lots of other ways to ingest it, just be creative. I personally have a shaker bottle on the table and shake some on everything I eat.
The fresh or dried leaves of the Moringa tree can be added to salads and are also used in the preparation of sauces, salsas and soups. Just remember to put it in after cooking as you lose some of the nutrition when heated. The dried leaves can also be used to make tea.
The delicate white flowers can be sautéed and taste similar to mushrooms.
The immature seed pods of the Moringa tree, popularly known as drumsticks in India, are used in various dishes. I lived in Thailand many years and regularly had Moringa seed pod soup which was wonderful. You can also chop the seed pods like you would green beans and either steam or sauté. Also the seeds can be extracted and eaten as "peas" (boiled or fried) when still green. The dry seeds are apparently not used for human consumption, perhaps because the bitter coating becomes hardened.
Cold pressed Moringa oil has traditionally been used for cooking and in other food preparations. The bright yellow oil with a pleasant taste has been compared in quality with olive oil both having large amounts of oleic acid, however the Moringa oil does not lose its nutritional value when exposed to high heats, like olive oil does, because of its exceptional oxidative stability.
Moringa oil is a great alternative in recipes that needs a nutty flavor. It is also a healthy choice to put in stir fry dishes and marinades. You can also use it as dressing for salads and vegetables.
Besides the high content of oleic acid Moringa oil is rich in vitamins A and C and unsaturated fatty acids. Small amounts of Moringa oil added to the diet of young children can provide them with a more varied and nutritious diet.
Happy eating.