Paruppu Keerai Variations ( Spinach & Lentil curry of Tamilnadu)

Theme : Any edible green & lentil can be cooked together into a spinach – lentil curry : The Paruppu Keerai.

Variations :

·         Use various lentils as listed in column 1. Larger lentils need        to be soaked overnight before being cooked.

·         Use various edible greens as listed in column 3.

·         Use various flavouring methods as listed in column 2.

 

Key Skill : Preparing spinach.
Wash spinach well under running water to remove soil. Chop off roots. If the spinach has a soft stem, it can be chopped whole. If it has a woody stem, pick out the leaves and discard the stem. Remove wilted / yellowish leaves.

 Once you have mastered this essential skill, you are all set to cook the variations of recipes listed below. Click the image to view and print the cookbook. For detailed recipes and pictures, check out my fellow bloggers below :

 0.:  Tuvaram paruppu keerai
1.:  Paasi paruppu keerai
2.:  Mysore paruppu keerai
3.:  Kadalai Paruppu keerai
4.:  Kollu Paruppu keerai
5.:  Paasi Payaru keerai
6.:  Karamani paruppu keerai
7.:  Fresh parpppu keerai
8.:  Mulai katiya paruppu keerai
9.:  Fusion : Try using collard greens, kale , bok choy or any edible green from across the world.

 Paruppu keerai or mashed lentil – spinach curries are  mild curries and can be eaten mixed with rice. It can also accompany chapattis.  They are popular in western Taminadu (Kongunadu) and in Andhra ( Palakura pappu, Thotakoora pappu etc) . Lentils cook fast and taste great with any kind of edible greens.  Fresh lentils or smaller lentils like tuvar dal / mung dal / Mysore dal need no presoaking. But larger / whole dals need to be soaked overnight. Using sprouted lentils gives an extra healthy set of recipes. Sprouted lentils cook fast and need no pre soaking. A huge variety of fresh lentils are available in South India, and all can be used in these recipes. Experiment with any kind of lentil / greens  from across the world to cook up never – before- cooked paruppu keerais ! Since all the above recipes are one pot recipes and take less than 15 minutes to cook, there are little chances of a mess !