Kadanja Keerai / Mashed Greens

  Keerai is my favourite. During my school days, My Lunch Box will be packed up with some Green Dish and Curd Rice. I just love to eat Keerai. My mom Prepares different dishes with Greens / Keerai.

Kadaintha Keerai,
Paal Keerai,
Paruppu Keerai,
Keerai Kuzhambu,
Keerai Sambhar,
Keerai Adai,
Keerai Vadai,
Keerai Poriyal.

The above are all the one's that i remember here to mention. Of all these, My vote is for Keerai Pappu or. Paruppu Keerai and Keerai Sambhar. But the one that iam sharing today, Kadanja Keerai is also my favourite, only when my mom prepares it. yes, spicyness and tanginess should be in correct proportion for this dish. My mom makes it so Good.

Ingredients:

Arai Keerai - 1 bunch
Small Onions - 10  / Big Onion - 1
Tomato - 1
Green Chilli - 2
Garlic - 2 cloves
Tamarind - a small piece
Oil - 1 tsp

Thalippu / for Tadka:

Oil - 1/2 tsp
Mustard - 1/4 tsp
Dry Red Chilli - 2
Split Urad Dal - 1/4 tsp
Asafoetida Powder - a pinch

Method:

Remove the Greens from their stems and Wash Araikeerai(Greens), three times atleast and keep aside.

In a Skillet, Heat a tsp of Oil, add Garlic, Green Chilli's and fry them. Now add Small Onions and Saute them. When the onions turn translucent, add chopped tomato and saute it along.

Add Washed Araikeerai to the Skillet and saute it along with onion and tomatoes for about 3-4 minutes.

Add tamarind and salt to taste to the Skillet and mix well with the other ingredients. Remove the Skillet from the flame and let it cool down for few minutes.

You can either Mash the Greens in the traditional way with a pot and mathu or you can also grind them in your mixer with the pulse button.

Heat Oil in a skillet and add mustard - let it pop and add urad dal and Dry Red chilli's and asafoetida powder.
Now add the Mashed Greens / Kadanja Keerai and let it boil for a minute or till it thickens like thokku.

Serve with Hot Rice. Iam sure this one dish will make your meal a Hearty Meal!!