Saturday, June 2, 2007

Simple Lunches - 3 (Paruppu Keerai)

Ah! Summer! It is finally here not quiet by the calendar but the temperature says otherwise. The first things I get out of my vegetable garden is invariably Thandu Keerai (Amaranthus) mix of green and red. Don't have to sow seeds every year they come back, this year I added some red ones to the mix. Did not have a lot just enough for some Paruppu Keerai. The recipe is nothing spectacular but sure is tasty.


chappathis,curd,plaintain fry and Paruppu keerai


Paruppu Keerai
Ingredients
1. 1 1/2 cups of thandu Keerai washed and chopped(chop the tender stems and the leaves)
2. 1/2 Cup Moong Dal(roast till slightly brown) and Cooked with some turmeric and couple of drops of sesame oil.
3. 2 Green Chillies slit
4. 3 garlic cloves chopped
5. 1/2 onion chopped
6. 1 tsp of pepper powder
7. Seasoning: Curry Leaves, cumin, mustard, asfoetida
8. 1 tsp of ghee + oil (the ghee is what gives the amazing smell)

Method
1. In a pan heat the oil + ghee, add the seasonings mustard last when the mustard starts to splutter add
2. the onions and saute till translucent, add the garlic and green chillies saute a little bit more.
3. Add the chopped keerai and let it cook for a few minutes.
4. Add the pepper powder and mix
5. Add the moong dal, salt and cook for a few more minutes

Serve with rice or Chappathis. Simple lunch for a lazy warm day.

17 comments:

  1. Looks very inviting! :) How did you make that vazhaikai? Share the secret pls. :)

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  2. Guess what Indo!! I paid $15 dollars and bought 4 types of Amaranth seeds,sowed in a pot and they have sprouted already.I am happy.I bought red,green,purple ,Bayam or something.Can't wait.
    Lunch looks great and so healthy.I am cooking light too tomorrow for lunch.Enjoy Indo:))

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  3. i am so jealous. i just bought a bunch of wilted amaranth. your lunch looks wonderful.

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  4. So thandu keerai is amaranthus ? I have been searching for it for a long time -

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  5. hey, the thali looks yum! eating fresh out of the garden, that sure is fulfilling!

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  6. yum... comfort food, the best of its kind... that plaintain fry looks delicious btw.

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  7. I wonder why I couldn't see this post till today. It looks pretty spectacular to me, really tasty with that toasty moong dal, yum!

    Have a great Sunday ISG :)

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  8. Kay you know what that was just a teaser. The recipe will remain a secret forever! Just Kidding. Will post the recipe soon.


    Asha so you are going to have one colorful area of Greens. $15 dollars how much seeds did you buy?
    Enjoy your sunday

    Bee I know I usually buy them in the winter when I have no choice. How come you did not sow any Amaranth?

    Revathi, it is I think as far as I know.

    Richa sure is and the taste is so different from the store bought ones.

    Sig yup sure is. Recipe coming soon.

    Linda, blogger probably acting up again. Moong dal never fails. Have a great day too Linda!

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  9. Kay, thanks for the link BSM. I am going to look for it. I can use it for oatmeal which we eat pretty much everyday, I add brown sugar but don't think it is very healthy either. Bee's article sure educated me.

    Do write about it in your blog.

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  10. Does it come back every year ? Is this a good time to sow the seeds ? What say ?

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  11. Love dals with greens of any sort! This one lookd delicious, ISG! How cool that you actually grow your greens! I'm not much of a gardener but I hope to do some easy stuff like cilantro and methi this season. Let's se...

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  12. Sandeepa, sure you can sow them now even in pots if you want to Yes they come back every year.

    Vani Amaranthus is even easier to grown than cilantro or methi. Just sow them and water regularly thats it.

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  13. Sometimes, the simplest of dishes give the greatest of pleasures, especially on warm days...the lunch looks great...

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  14. Hello, thanks for stopping by to visit my blog and commenting. It has helped me to discover yours.

    I love plantains, will definitely give your recipe a try.

    I've added you to my feeds so that I do not miss another of your delicious posts. :)

    Cynthia

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  15. Sunita, Welcome! that is so true simple and uncomplicated.

    Cynthia, it was a pleasure to visit your website. I kind of envy you, you are a food writer right? That should be fun!

    Will post the plaintain fry recipe soon.

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  16. :) teaser, huh? I saw your vazhakai post and drooled before coming here and reading your reply. :p

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  17. healthy lunch Indo.. Didn't have thandu keerai for a long time , I dont think we get here in US.

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