Keerai Kootu Recipe-Manathakkali Keerai Kootu

Manathakkali which is known as black nightshade in English, has antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties. It has lot of health benefits.The leaf of this plant when chewed helps to cure mouth ulcers. According to Wikipedia, traditionally this plant was used to cure tuberculosis. Since I have these greens growing abundantly in my kitchen garden, I prepare this once in a fortnight. Today let us learn how to prepare keerai kootu using this very simple keerai kootu recipe-

Manathakkali Keerai

Manathakkali Keerai kootu
Serves 3-4

Here is a great way to include these wonderful greens in our diet. I have made it as simple as possible for beginners.

Ingredients needed

Manathakkali keerai -1 medium sized bunch
Tur dal -1/3 cup
Turmeric powder - a pinch
Onion - 1 big
Green chilli -1
Ginger -1/2 inch piece
Garlic -4-5 cloves
Tomato -1 (remove the seeds)
Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
Salt as required

For the seasoning

Mustard - 1 tsp
Urad dal -3/4 tsp
Jeera seeds -3/4 tsp
Red chilli - 1
Hing - a pinch
Oil -2 tsp

Preparation

Pick the leaves alone, wash it well and chop it.

Cook the leaves in less water till soft. Mash it well and keep it aside

Finely chop tomato, ginger, onion and garlic.

Pressure cook tur dal with a pinch of turmeric powder till soft. Mash it well. (I always have the habit of soaking dal for 15-20 minutes in hot water, so my dal gets cooked well and also takes very less time)

Method

Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds, when it splutters, add the other ingredients mentioned under seasoning.

Add finely chopped onion and saute nicely till it turns golden brown.

Then add ginger, garlic and green chilli, saute for a few more minutes.

Add tomatoes, chilli powder and cook till tomatoes become mushy.

Add cooked greens, cooked dal, needed salt and bring it to boil. Serve with hot rice topped with a tsp of ghee or as a side dish for roti and rice.

Easy isn't it? - very delicious too-try it and let me know.

Variations - You can substitute manathakkali keerai with palak or gongura and follow the same method and measurements.

More Keerai recipes from Padhuskitchen

Mulai Keerai Kootu -Amaranth leaves kootu (Tamil Brahmin style-no onion no garlic recipe).

Keerai Masiyal (Tamil Brahmin style without onion and garlic)

Murungai keerai poriyal (Drumstick leaves curry)

Mint Pulao (Pudina sadam)

Gongura Chutney (pulicha keerai chutney)

Methi Pulao

Coriander rice (kothamalli sadam)

Mullangi keerai poriyal (radish greens stir fry)

Dal Palak (spinach with garlic and lentils)

Spinach raita (Palak keerai pachadi)

Vendhaya keerai rice (Keerai sadam)

Meet you all again with another interesting recipe, till then it is bye from Padhu of Padhuskitchen.com
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