Sunday, May 23, 2010

Keerai thoran (Red Swiss Chard)

"Keerai (Tamil) - Any kind of spinach; Thoran (Malayalam) / thuvaran or thuvaram (Tamil) - A dry side dish prepared with any spinach or vegetable and lot of coconut masala".

I got this 'Kerala style preparation of Spinach' from a best friend of mine. Though her blog is not visible now, some of her recipes always have a permanent position in my memory. I tried my best to do it her way. Thanks Ann!

The traditional recipe insists in using an Indian spinach (cheera or the red spinach) . I  prepared this 'keerai thoran' using Red swiss chard leaves. Though these swiss chard leaves resembled an Indian palak, I would like to use the 'chen cheera' (red spinach) next time. 



'Thoran' made of Red Swiss chard leaves.

Ingredients:
Any greens (spinach) - 1 lb
(I used Swiss chad leaves here)
Red onion - 1 (or) shallot - 5
mustard - 1/2 tsp
coconut oil - 1 tbsp
salt - to taste (very little only) 

To grind coarsely:
coconut (shredded) - 1/2  cup
garlic cloves - 3
green chillies  -  2 or 3
cumin - 1/2 tsp

Method:
Wash and clean the spinach / any greens.Chop it finely.

Heat oil in a wok. Splutter the mustard seeds.
Add onion and saute till it wilts.

Now put the chopped spinach and saute for a few minutes.

Make a well in the center and remove all the moisture (as much as possible).

Put the coarsely ground paste to the center and bury it with spinach.

cover and cook for few minutes. Add salt and saute till the greens loose all the moisture and we get a very loose texture.Switch off.

Keerai thoran is ready!

Serving suggestions:
Serve hot as side dish with sambar rice or curd rice.
Also can be served as 'curry over plain rice' with a tsp of ghee.
As this preparation contains more coconut, it may get spoiled in hot weather. So consume / refrigerate immediately.

26 comments:

Hari Chandana P said...

Mmm.. yummyy and healthy one.. looks perfect.. thanks for sharing.. :)

Ushnish Ghosh said...

Dear Viki
Very nice dish indeed and I liked the detailed explanation and procedures..one can cook your dish very comfortably any time.
Will try soon.
Have a nice week ahead

Subhie Arun said...

i lov spinach ..keerai...but i neva try red swiss card before...this looks v yummy n healthy ..will try soon!thx for sharing dear

Anu said...

Healthy and yummy thoran..

Home Cooked Oriya Food said...

very healthy and yummy!

Prema said...

healthy keerai and nice cliks!

Ms.Chitchat said...

Healthy keerai and a quickie too. Click is too good. Loved the color :)

Sushma Mallya said...

very healthy dish and very nice recipe too...

Aparna said...

healthy and my fav thoran

GayathriRaj said...

hey Viki i love thoran dear...and ur dish making me to get it right at this moment and prepare it for myself.... its very tasty and healthy too....thanks for sharing dear...

Unknown said...

yumm..and healthy too..

Chitra said...

nice one viki.. never make poriyal with keerai/must try sometime..

Shama Nagarajan said...

healthy choice dear

Sayantani Mahapatra Mudi said...

a very healthy tasty dish.

divya said...

A healthy and colorful thoran...

Hamaree Rasoi said...

Wow this dish can be made in quick succession . such a healthy recipe

Deepa
Hamaree Rasoi

Swathi said...

viki,

Keerai thoran looks really yummy . will it taste bitter .

Sarah Naveen said...

I love Cheera..Red swiss chard is always a yummy substitute for red cheera which u get in kerala ..

looks so yummy!!

Priya Suresh said...

Such a healthy thoran, looks awesome Viki..

Indian Khana said...

I love this method of making keerai..and I just need rice along ...am so happy

alessandra said...

Very interesting, very original, never cooked chard like this!

Lovely blog, I will visit again :-)

Rachana said...

Such a healthy and delicious thoran recipe!

GayathriRaj said...

HEY there is an awrd waiting for you at my space..please do collect them dear...

Rina said...

Thanx viki dear for this keerai thoran...luv to try it..

Anjgupa said...

i also do keerai poriyal the same way.i add chopped tomatoes right at the end and tightly close the lid.the tomatoes get cooked in the heat.Tomatoes aid in better absorption of iron from the greens.

wieb said...

This is delicious! Thank you! I made it last night with kale, and served it with grilled chicken masala, rice and nan. Loved it!

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