Thotakura Pappu - Paruppu keerai masiyal - Amarnath Leaves with lentils

Thotta Kura Pappu is an Healthy & protein Rich Andhra Recipe made with Thota kura(Amarnath Leaves). It can also be prepared with any type of Greens. it is called Mulai keerai in Tamil.Cooked dal & Greens when blended together with tangy tomatoes tastes divine.   Amarnath leaves have high protein & fiber  content.Amaranth leaves contain a wide range of minerals, including a high concentration of calcium for stronger & healthy bones. 

Thotakura Pappu

 Prep Time :  20   min. 

Cook Time : 20 minutes.

Recipe Category: Sides

Recipe Cusine :Andhra 

Serves:6

Ingredients

Thotakura/ Mulai Keerai - 1 bunch.

Toor dal - 1/2 cup.

Moongdal - 2 tbsp.

Turmeric - 1/4 tsp.

Pearl Onions - 20.

Tomato - 2.

Green chillies - 6.

Crushed Garlic - 4.

oil - to fry.

Salt - to taste.

Water - As needed.

To Temper

Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp.

hing - a Generous Pinch.

Preparation

• Remove the Root Part of Greens ( tender stems can be used) & soak it in a water for 10 minutes. So that dirt gets settled at bottom of the vessel. Then wash the Greens 2 -3 times, till the water is clean  & drain it.

• Cut the Greens finely.

• Chop the tomatoes,  crush the Garlic & slit the Green chillies.

Method

• Pressure Cook Toor dal + Moongdal together  with turmeric &  needed water till soft & mash it.

• Heat the oil, add pearl onions,Crushed Garlic & slit Green chillies.

• Saute till onions turns Pink. Then add Chopped Greens, add little salt.

• Saute now & then at medium flame. Greens oozes water & it gets cooked with it.

• When the water is almost absorbed, add chopped tomatoes, saute till it turns mushy.

• Then add mashed dal with needed water & salt(adjust salt). Let it boil for few minutes till it gets little thick consistency. Switch of the flame  & mash it well. 

• Finally heat the oil, add cumin seeds when it sizzles add hing give a quick mix & pour over Pappu.

Notes

• I used Mulai keerai instead you can use sirukeerai, Araikkerai, or Thandukeerai.
• Always use Pearl Onions for Good taste.
• crushing the Garlic gives nice flavour to dal.
• Saute the Greens with little salt in medium flame.Greens oozes water & leaves  gets shrinked & cooked with that water itself.
• While Cooking Greens,don't close the lid, cook it open because volatile acid needs to escape.Greens cooks faster with open lid itself.