Monday, May 6, 2013

Keerai Saadam/ Spinach Rice


          When I am not in the mood for cooking, or when I don't feel like doing the regular sambar, rasam and curry, I do some kind of mixed rice. I would cook rice, vegetables and dal together like in this Cabbage Pongal or cook rice separately and mix in with some sauteed vegetables. But whatever it is, I try to make it as wholesome and nutritious as possible, so that we get our daily dose of protein and vegetables. This Spinach Rice is one such attempt, I have used Mulaikeerai/ Amaranth Greens for making it along with some cooked chana dal and fresh ground masala. When served with some raitha or curd/ yogurt, it makes a complete and satisfying meal..

Need To Have

  • Cooked Rice - 4 cups
  • Chana Dal - 1/4 cup
  • Chopped Amaranth - 5 cups
  • Urad Dal/ Husked Black Gram - 2 teaspoons
  • Mustard Seeds - 1/2 teaspoon
  • Asafoetida - 1/4 teaspoon
  • Turmeric Powder - 1/4 teaspoon
  • Lemon Juice - 1 teaspoon
  • Salt - to taste

To Grind

  • Dried Red Chillies - 4
  • Coriander Seeds - 2 teaspoons
  • Coconut - 1 tablespoon

Method


          Soak the chana dal for an hour, cook it with the turmeric powder and water, till done but not mushy. Roast the red chillies and coriander seeds given under ' to grind ' and grind it coarsely with the coconut, without adding water.


          Heat some oil, add the urad dal and the mustard seeds, when it starts spluttering, add the asafoetida, followed by the chopped amaranth. Add some salt, reduce the heat and keep sauteeing till it gets cooked. Once it's done, add the cooked dal and mix.


          Then add the ground mixture and mix for a minute or two, then lastly add the rice and mix everything well. Switch off, add the lemon juice and mix one more time. Serve with some pappads or chips and curd or raitha.


Note
Don't cover with a lid while cooking the amaranth, that way, it stays green.
I have used amaranth greens, you can also use the regular spinach, to save time, you can use the frozen chopped spinach too.
Can replace cooked chana dal with cooked chickpeas.
Also instead of adding the lemon juice, you can add a small ball of tamarind while grinding the red chillies, coriander and coconut. 
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23 comments:

  1. Delicious and healthy one pot meal,perfect for lunch box..

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  2. Keerai sadam with channa dal sounds interesting

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  3. Healthy and colorful rice, love the addition of dal.

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  4. nice one pot meal for lunch... I have never tried keerai with chana dhal.. will bookmark and try it next time..

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  5. Healthy and delicious spinach rice Hema.

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  6. Perfectly balanced one pot meal...Looks delicious

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  7. That looks sooo good and tempting ...
    should try this once.

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  8. Beautiful clicks Hema. Keerai rice is very comforting. I love vegetable rices and makes life easy on those lazy days.

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  9. hearty & comfort meal...i usually add dal to spinach poriyal, spinach rice makes a quick & easy one pot meal..loved this idea!

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  10. My spinach-rice looks so different from yours...Next time I'm trying your recipe ;-)

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  11. looks so healthy n yum! bookmarked to try!

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  12. interesting recipe to try with keera apart from usual attempt....

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  13. Very nice preparation, healthy and delicious.

    http://kitchentantras.com/almond-chocolate-milk-silk-smooth/

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  14. Healthy dish! Looks yummy and tempting Hema :-)

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  15. healthy rice preparation.. when i'm not in mood, i order hotel food :)

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  16. Spinach not only gives beautiful green color to the rice but also makes it super healthy..love the pulao..

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  17. I make simple spinach rice, I like your idea of adding powder to it. delicious.

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  18. Love the idea of chopping the greens so finely--I bet my kids would eat it then!

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