Red Spinach Curry/Cheera Erissery

Red Spinach has immense health benefits. It is loaded with iron, hence is very effective in treating anaemia and helps in good vision as it is high in vitamin A. It is also good for hair growth and even helps to reduce cholestrol and aids in weight loss. We just had a small harvest of these tender organic spinach leaves and I made this simple healthy curry with dal and coconut.

Ingredients:

• Tuvar dal 150 gm
• Red spinach a small bunch
• Salt to taste
• Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp
• Red chilli powder 1 tsp
• Fresh grated coconut 1/2 cup
• Cumin seeds 1 tsp
• Mustard seeds 1 tsp
• Shallots 4-5
• Garlic 2 cloves (optional)
• Refined oil 2 tsp
• Curry leaves 2 sprigs

Method:

• Wash and soak the dal in water for atleast half an hour.
• Cook the dal in a pressure cooker along with salt and turmeric powder.
• Wash the spinach leaves and chop them finely. Peel and cut the shallots in to thin rings.
• Cook the leaves in little water along with salt, turmeric powder and red chilli powder.
• Grind the coconut along with cumin seeds, garlic cloves and a shallot till it is a fine paste.
• Mix the dal, cooked spinach and the coconut mixture and let it boil for 2 minutes.
• Heat the oil in a small frying pan and add the mustard seeds. When it crackles, add the curry leaves and shallots. Fry until the shallots are crisp. Pour this tadka into the curry.
• Serve the curry with hot steamed rice.

Notes:

• The same curry can be made with green spinach, amaranthus, drumstick leaves too.