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.