Monday, July 28, 2008

Keerai Masiyal (Simple Mashed Spinach)


You can use fresh or frozen spinach for this.

2 lbs Frozen Spinach or 2 bunches Fresh Spinach
1 and 1/2 Spoons Cumin
1 and 1/2 Spoons Urad Dal
2 or 3 Dry red Chili
1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
2 teaspoons oil
2 teaspoons grated coconut
1 teaspoon Mustard seeds
1 and 1/2 spoons salt (more or less)


---> If using Fresh Spinach, Cut the ends and wash 3 times.
---> In a big pan, place the drianed spinach leaves or if using frozen place them directly with just a 1/4 cup of water on a medium low fire and cover the pan.
---> Keep stirring the spinach to make sure it is not getting burnt.
---> Using a hand blender, blend the spinach well
---> In a different pan, add a teaspoon of oil, and add the Urad Dal, Red Chillies, Jeera and Black pepper and roast till you smell the cumin and the pepper and the dal becomes slighlty rose in color
---> Add coconut to the roasted ingredients, and make a fine powder with a regular mixer or a coffee grinder
---> Add this to the Spinach and mix well
---> As a last step, add a teaspoon of oil in a pan and add the mustard seeds and let it sputter, add this to the spinach, garnish with curry leaves and serve.

When you are done, this should have a consistency of Idli Dough.
This goes well with Rice and Rasam!

6 comments:

SMN said...

this gravy looks yum..

Lavanya Raj said...

My comfort and favourite food vandana..

Thanks for adding my tamil blog on ur blog Roll..Nandri!

Unknown said...

keerai masiyal, reminds me of home.
i have tagged u. check it out in my blog!

Miri said...

Did you use the electric blender for this? If you did, try using a simple wooden "matthu" or masher which is what is traditionally used.
I became a believer after I tried it once - the taste which I got when I used the wooden masher was so different from the pureed version of the blender and reminded me of the many meals I had in my grandmother's house....

Vandana said...

Thanks, smn, lavi, aartee and miri!
I used my handblender to do this. I also have a wooden masheer which I used to use, but now it is broken. Got to get one from India when I go next time.
Vandana

Anonymous said...

I am impressed by keerai masiyal receipe. But like spinach there are several green leafy varities are there. I would like to know the english (common) names for our green leafy items such as Mula keerai. arai keerai,paruppu, pasalai,siru etc.,So, that i can name it and ask for it in the market..can you help this 63 year old lady...