Manathakkaali Keerai Kootu is a comforting South Indian greens-and-dal stew made with tender manathakkaali leaves and moong dal. Start by stripping the leaves from the tough, bitter stems, then wash and chop the greens. Cook green gram dal with a pinch of turmeric until soft, add the greens, and simmer gently. Stir in a smooth paste of coconut, green chilies, jeera, and a little rice for body and creaminess, then finish with a simple tempering of mustard seeds and finely chopped small onions for a fragrant, savory lift.
An easy kootu made with spinach (manathakkali keerai), green dhal and coconut. This dish is served with steamed for lunch and dinner. Here is a list of different kinds of spinach (keerai).
Manathakkaali Keerai Kootu Recipe
Manathakkaali Keerai Kootu
5
servings10
minutes20
minutesAn easy kootu made with spinach (manathakkali keerai), green dhal and coconut.
Ingredients
Manathakkali Keerai – 1 bunch
Green Gram Dhal – ½ cup
Coconut gratings – ¼ cup
Green chilies – 2
Jeera – 1 teaspoon
Rice – 1 teaspoon
Turmeric Power – a pinch
Salt – ½ teaspoon or as per taste
- For seasoning:
Oil – 1 teaspoon
Mustard – ½ teaspoon
Small onion – 2 Nos
Directions
- Remove the leaves from the stem (stem should not be used. The stems are hard and have bitter taste). Wash and chop the greens.
- Cook the green gram dhal along with turmeric till soft. Add the greens to cooked dhal and cook on low flame.
- Grind coconut, green chilies, jeera and rice to a fine paste and add to the greens and stir well.
- Season it with mustard and small onion chopped finely.
i want to try this recipe. but i don’t know what manathakkaali is. could you help please?
found the picture of manathakkaali. thanks.
Dear Kamala ,plz leave me some recipie details of white radish LEAVES ,how to prepare kootu with this??
Hi Mathangi,
Yes. You can prepare Kootu with the white radish leaves. However, making poriyal will be tastier since the leaves are crisp. Check the following “Ponnankanni Keerai Poriyal” recipe. Same method you can prepare the poriyal using radish leaves:
https://www.kamalascorner.com/2011/12/ponnanganni-keerai-greens-poriyal.html
Hi madam ,I tried this recipe today,it was a great hit, nobody in my house like this healthy keerai ,but now I’m happy im able give it this way.thanks a lot
Thank you Sharmila for your kind feedback.
Dear Kamla mam your website is super hit. I have bookmarked ur site and I feel every recipe of urs is best of all. They are practical and Delicious. I love ur recipes.
Thank you for your kind words.