Spinach – good for PopEye and for me!

Background:

Don’t really remember amma making too much of Keerai but once I started cooking, keerai or spinach is my last resort of sorts. If I have no other vegetable or if am in a rush then I make this. My fridge always boasts of 2 – 3 packs of cut frozen spinach.

Today was one such day when I woke up late and did not have time to mull other options. Here is what I do.

Stuff you will need:

1 pack cut frozen spinach
1/4 coconut shredded
3 dry red chillies
2 tsp cumin seeds/jeera
Salt to taste
Asafoetida
1tsp Turmeric
Oil for tempering
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp urad dhal
Thuvar dhal 1/2 cup

How to make it?

Boil about 2 cups of water, add pack of frozen spinach, a dash of turmeric, asafoetida and salt to taste. Let it cook on low medium heat till spinach looks done. While this is cooking boil about the thuvar dhal in the pressure cooker. Grind a handful of coconut, cumin seeds and 2-3 dry red chillies with little added water to make a smooth paste.

When spinach is done, add the paste, mashed thuvar dhal and let simmer for 5 minutes. Season with mustard and urad dhal tempered in oil.

Serves two

Special Notes:

This is usually served with Kuzhambu or Rasam.