Monday, May 3, 2010

Beetroot greens poriyal

Some years back, when I saw these fresh bunches of beets for the first time in a farmers' market, it became my center of attraction. Personally I think this beetroot is a gorgeous vegetable and I like all those who say 'YES' to this cutie. Mostly no one in my dad's house likes it , except for my Annapazham paatti, who was a great story teller in our native village. Rarely she visits our home and I would be eagerly waiting for her timeless tales. Whenever we start having this fry, she would say the same like me 'Most gorgeous vegetable in the world' and no wonder all the kids would start finishing that fry in no time.

Ok, we all know to cook a beetroot in our own way. But I have never used its greens till I landed in this country. My hometown which was known for its hot weather even in the winters could not supply me the beetroot with its leaves . But except for these fancy vegetables (English vegetables we say), that region is blessed with a lot of vegetation like brinjal, tiny tomatoes, chillies, turmeric,dhal, paddy fields and all the native Indian vegetables can be got fresh there.
(Yeah, I can never call it heat and dust. Such is the power of your home..right!)

So coming back to the fry. Without knowing the recipe , I had many doubts on that taste. Even I sent queries to my favorite cookery show hostess , Mrs. Revathy Shanmugam , if it is edible:) May be she was busy, so couldn't get the reply till my greens were fresh. So I just prepared a stir fry of its leaves (leaves alone, not the stem) along with a small beetroot. (Look at that cute bunch!).

It was amazing and I served it to my hubby saying the same words of that granny. No wonder he too started liking the beetroot. Touch of an Angel..huh:)


Fresh bunch of beetroot with greens.
Beetroot greens stir fried with a beetroot.

Ingredients: (for two people)
Beetroot greens - 1 bunch (15 leaves)
Beetroot - 1 (150 gm)
Shallot / red onion (chopped) - 1/2 cup
garlic - 5 cloves
shredded coconut - 1/4 cup
mustard - 1/2 tsp
oil (sesame / coconut oil) - 1 tbsp
cumin - 1/2 tsp
dry red chilly - 2

Method:
Pluck the leaves and young stem alone. Discard the tougher stalk. Remove the skin of beetroot.

Wash and clean the greens, beetroot. Chop them separately.
(Beets should be chopped into small cubes of 1/2 inch).

Heat oil / ghee in a wok. Add the mustard seeds and let it splutter.
Chop the onion, garlic, chillies, curry leaf (optional) finely and add to the wok.
Stir till onion turns soft.

Add the finely chopped beetroot and cook closed with a handful of water for 5 minutes.
Open the lid. Let all the moisture dries up.

Now add the finely chopped greens and stir fry till the greens get cooked.

Add salt, cumin and fry a bit. After the poriyal looks very loose without any moisture, switch off.
Then put the freshly shredded coconut.

Beetroot keerai poriyal is ready!

Serving suggestions:
The perfect combination can be with sambar rice ,vatral kuzhambu rice etc.

22 comments:

Sushma Mallya said...

i too love beetroot poriyal, but never seen such fresh ones before...looks lovely viki

Hamaree Rasoi said...

Beetroot green looks so colourful and healthy. Also they seem to be so easy to prepare. Loved the presentation.

Deepa
Hamaree Rasoi

Ann said...

I always love this green,I love to add few moong dal with this. Looks so appetizing.

Panchpakwan said...

This is healthy recipe..:)

Priya Suresh said...

Fantastic poriyal, love it..

Pavithra Elangovan said...

I too make this .. Very healthy and love this so much.

Unknown said...

looks deliicous..i love them fresh with the greens and all..

Shama Nagarajan said...

nice healthy one dear

Aruna Manikandan said...

Healthy delicious poriyal :-)

Ash said...

Hey!!!! That is new to me... I love beet but never tried their greens.. It looks so delectably tempting & pleasing..... Awesome prep!!!!

Ash....
(http://asha-oceanichope.blogspot.com/)

Life is beautiful !!! said...

Vicky they look so fresh and your suggestions make me very hungry :) Such a healthy dish.

Urmi said...

Beetroot looks fresh. Very nice and healthy dish. Looks wonderful and delicious.

gtyuk said...

going to see if this phrase works with my teddies Most gorgeous vegetable in the world hahha

I have never tried cooking the greens but now that I've seen your delicious stir-fry, I'm tempted to try this soon !! looks too good!!!

Ms.Chitchat said...

Never seen such fresh looking beets. I love beet and the color of the sabji makes us crave for more.Loved the click.Thanks for sharing.

Hari Chandana P said...

dats wonderful... looks lovely and delicious..

Gita Jaishankar said...

Beetroot poriyal looks so good Viki...I have never tried the greens yet, sounds very delicious and healthy :)

Soma Pradhan said...

This is a nice recipe dear

Unknown said...

Stir fry looks delicious. I like the combo of greens and beets.

Malar Gandhi said...

Beetroot greens poriyal is a wonderful dish, and I like it a lot, love beets color so much.

Priya dharshini said...

Beetroot poriyal is so colorful,i too inspired a lot from revathy shanmugan..i got her no..and personally talk to her abt the recipes...

Rachana said...

Wow!!! This is an excellent recipe...healthy too:)

Jayasri said...

I have used these two but always separtately, but never like this!!, what a good idea, thanx for sharing!!, looks lovely...

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