Dal Palak /Keerai Kootu

         I make it a point to add greens at least once in a week for my kids.This a simple kootu i have made with spinach , you can do it with any greens available.Serve with hot rice adding a dallop of ghee and pappad.It is a meal on its own . You can add grated coconut  in the end , i didnt have it so i didnt add.Do try this and post your comments.I have made it less spicy you can make add more green chillies as per your taste.

Ingredients

1. Spinach - 2 bunches , cleaned and chopped
2. Yellow split moong dhall - 1/2 cup
3. Garlic - 1 pod
4. Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
5. Hing - 1/ tsp
6. Whole Jeera  - 1/4 tsp
7. Chilli - 2 ,chopped
8. Small onions - 3 
9. Salt as needed

 Season

1. Oil - 1 tbsp
2. Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
3. Red chilly - 2 , chopped

Method

1. In a pan , wash the moong dhall and add enough water .
2. Add turmeric powder and allow it to cook ,when it is 3/4th cooked ,then add the chopped spinach ,hing and small onions
3. Grind together jeera and green chilly and add to the cooking dhal.
4. When the dhal is cooked completely add salt and close the lid for 10 min in low flame.
5. Now the dhal would have completely smashed .Remove from heat.
6. In another pan , heat oil , let the mustard splutter , add the red chillies and saute it.Add to the cooked dal.
7. Serve with hot rice and ghee.

 

Tips 

1. When the dal is cooked with lid closed ,the dhal and spinach gets completely smashed.
2. Always season in the end.
3. You can add grated coconut also in the end.

Tomato Pachadi

This is a yummy tomato pachadi , taste yum with urad dhal rice or roti.If  tomato is tangier add more red chilli powder.I have roasted the tomato in oil ,peeled the skin and have made gravy.This is a no onion no garlic dish.

Ingredients

1. Tomato - 4 
2. Greenchilly - 1 slit
3. Garlic - 1 pod chopped
4. Hing - 1/4 tsp
5. Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
6. Chilli Powder - 3/4 tsp
7. Coriander Powder - 1/2 tsp
8. Salt as needed
9. Water - 1 cup
10. Oil - 2 tbsp
11. Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp

Method :

1.  Heat  1 tbsp ,oil  in a pan , add the whole tomatoes ,and roast it till the skin changes color and skin starts splitting.Remove from heat.
2. Let it cool , peel the skin and mash it well.
3. Heat the remaining oil , add the mustard seeds , when it splutters ,add the green chilly ,garlic and curry leaves
4. Saute it for 3 seconds.Now add the mashed tomato pulp.
5. Add all the powders and salt.
6. Let it cook for 5min.Add a cup of water and let it cook for 10minutes in  a medium flame.
7. Cook in simmer for another 5min.
8. Serve with sambar rice or roti.

Bread and Channa Masala - Tiffin Idea

Chow Chow Curry / Kootu

Simple Channa Masala

                                          I had some soaked channa , i didnt want to go for poori  and channa masala.I wanted to have rasam with simple side dish ,made this one ,liked it very much.The onions should be finely cut it   should maintain the crunch.I didnt add any extra ingredients ,i wanted to make it simple .Hope you give a try.