Keerai Masial

Spinach and dal in a "Keerai Masial" or "Keerai Kodhel" is a perfect way to have your daily dose of greens. Serve this with steamed rice, sliced onions and crisp papads....slurrp...healthy greens never tasted better!!! 

Ingredients:

2 cups finely chopped spinach or amaranthus leaves ( 1 bunch)

1 cup toor dal/split red gram

1 gooseberry sized tamarind

1 teaspoon methi seeds

2 green chillis (slit into half)

1 teaspoon jaggery

¼ teaspoon turmeric powder

for tadka

1 teaspoon oil

1 teaspoon mustard leaves

a pinch of hing

a few curry leaves

Method:

Pressure cook the toor dal for 3 whistles and keep aside.

Boil spinach/amaranthus leaves in a cup of water with methi seeds and green chillis.

When its partially cooked, add tamarind extract, jaggery and turmeric powder. 

When the leaves are cooked and tender add the cooked toor dal. Add salt and mix well. 

Bring to a boil and switch off the gas.

Heat oil, add mustard seeds. Add hing and curry leaves when the mustard seeds start to splutter.

Add the tadka to the sambar and serve with steamed rice.