keerai masiyal (spinach puree with spices)

KEERAI PACCHAI MASIYAL
(Tamil to English: keerai - spinach, pacchai - green, masiyal - puree)

INGREDIENTS

Spinach - 1 bunch (arakeerai, mulakeerai, sirukeerai if you can get them OR use regional varieties of spinach)
Coconut oil - 2 tsp
Dried red chili - split into two pcs
Asafoetida, pinch of turmeric powder, mustard seeds, curry leaves and salt to taste


METHOD

1. Clean, wash and chop the spinach. 

2. Add ½ glass of water, a pinch of turmeric powder, ½ tsp oil and salt into a deep vessel, as its comfortable to mash the spinach in that.  

3. Mash with a wooden pestle*, until you get a gravy consistency. This will cook very fast.  Just sprinkle some more water if it is not sufficient while cooking. If you find this method too difficult or you have no time for it, just grind the cooked and cooled spinach in a food processor. Dont grind too much, so that you can taste the natural masiyal. 

4. Season with mustard seeds, red chilly, asafoetida and curry leaves. If you like, add ½ tsp cumin seeds. Serve as a side dish.

*(in Tamil maththu)

See you with a new recipe,
happy cooking,
-Jay