Keerai Mologutal (South Indian Spinach-Lentil Stew)

Submitted by Anu_N

"In Tamil, Keerai = spinach. This recipe has been in my family for absolute ages, and is unfailingly on the table at lunch every Sunday... and we'll never get tired of it! :-) This is a very nutritious stew that's perfect over steamed rice. A spicy pickle or condiment is traditionally served along with this. Or, you can just have the stew as a, well, stew or soup! Hope you like this one!"

 

• Ready In: 50mins
• Ingredients: 12
• Yields: 4 cups
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 1 bunch fresh spinach, washed,not dried,coarsely chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 4 cups water
• 1⁄2 cup yellow lentils (tur dal)
• 1⁄8 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1⁄2 cup shredded coconut
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1⁄2 red chile
• 1⁄2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 3⁄4 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon Urad Dal (skinned and split black gram)

directions

1. Make sure that you don't dry the spinach after washing.
2. Cook the chopped spinach in a microwavable bowl, covered, in a microwave on HIGH for 5 minutes, with 1 teaspoon salt, stirring thrice.
3. Set aside to cool.
4. Add water, lentils, and turmeric in a pot, bring to a boil, and simmer for 30 minutes, or until lentils are tender.
5. Do not drain.
6. Grind coconut, cumin, red chili, with 1/2 cup water in a blender, to a paste.
7. Remove from the blender and set aside.
8. In the same blender (you needn't wash it), separately grind the spinach coarsely (don't make it into a paste!).
9. Mix the spinach, coconut paste, and cooked lentils (along with its water) together in a large pot and bring it to a boil, stirring occasionally.
10. Remove from the flame and set aside.
11. While the spinach-lentil mixture is boiling, in a small frying pan, heat the oil, and add mustard seeds and Urad dal.
12. When the mustard sputters, pour the contents of the frying pan into the spinach-lentil mixture.
13. Stir, and serve hot, over plained steamed rice.

Reviews

[Charishma_Ramchandani]

I had this for lunch, absolutely good! Had it over hot white rice wit some dahi boondhi on the side, yummy:) My mom did think it was soup:) For myself, I kept aside a bowl of this to which I did not add the seasoning ingredients. I still loved it. For mom and dad, I did add the seasoning ingredients, but, I couldn't add the black urad dal as I didnt have it on hand. Yet,it was lovely, thank you! Note: I licked my fingers clean while making the coconut paste:)

 

[Heather U.]

Anu, I thought this was really good. I love spinach and it goes so well with lentils, and the coconut was a really nice accent. I did find this to be somewhat bland, thus I added fresh ginger, garlic, more cumin, and some ground coriander which I sauteed in oil before adding. Thanks for posting!