The nutritional value of Keerai is twenty times more than in other vegetables. Keerai is a valuable source of nutrients, rich in iron, calcium, vitamin A, anti-oxidants and veg proteins. Some leaves are believed to keep blood sugar levels low. Make a habit of eating Keerai at least twice a week.
Check out the different types of greens (keerai) below:
Some of the Spinach (Keerai) Recipes:
Manathakkaali Keerai Kootu
Difficulty: EasyAn easy kootu made with spinach (manathakkali keerai), green dhal and coconut.
Keerai Puzhi Masiyal
Difficulty: EasyA kootu dish prepared with Mulai keerai (Amaranth Leaves), tamarind, and thuvar dal is delightful. This recipe is versatile and can be made with any variety of spinach (keerai).
Keerai Poondu Masiyal
Difficulty: EasyA quick and easy spinach (keerai) masiyal makes for a delightful side dish. It can also be enjoyed mixed with hot steamed rice and a teaspoon of sesame oil.
Arai Keerai Kootu
Difficulty: EasyArai Keerai (அரை கீரை) Kootu is a South Indian vegetarian dish made with arai keerai (greens), lentils, and coconut. It is a healthy and nutritious dish that is easy to prepare and goes well with rice or chapatis.
Keerai Cutlet
Difficulty: MediumLooking for a delicious side dish to pair with rice varieties? Try this spinach (keerai) recipe that goes perfectly with rasam sadam or sambar sadam.
Paruppu Keerai Masiyal
Cooks in 20 minutesDifficulty: EasyThis Paruppu Keerai Masiyal can be prepared with any type of greens(keerai). This dish also goes by the name keerai kadayal.
Agathi Keerai Thuvatal
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasyA healthy dish made with agathi keerai (spinach), coconut, onion and green chilies.
Agathi Keerai Charu
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasyThis dish made with Agathi keerai (spinach) can be mixed with hot rice and served for lunch and dinner. This is very good for healing the sour in mouth and tongue.
Keerai Rice
Cooks in 25 minutesDifficulty: EasyThis flavored rice can be served for lunch or dinner along with papad and or vegetable chips.
hi, thats a nice post abt keerai..
the paruppu kerai u have mentioned is venthiya keerai.
Hi Roo,
Thank you for visiting my site. Paruppu Keerai is NOT vendthiya keerai. It looks like that, but it is not bitter and you make regular kootu with this paruppu keerai.
hi Kamala,
stuff u post in ur site are very informative. i really enjoyed getting to know more about keerai and keerai recipe's. Thank u keep posting.
you can chk out my recipe site too. hope u'd like it.
http://amisvegetariandelicacies.blogspot.com/
I like reading your site because you can always bring us new and awesome stuff, I think that I must at least say a thank you for your hard work.
– Henry
Thank you Henry.
sister i have a doubt,whether spinach, pasala keerai and palak are the same one..
Hi Lavanya,
Yes. All are same – spinach in English, Palak in Hindi and Pasala Keerai in Tamil.
Sorry,.. Pasala keerai is a different variety of spinach which is very thick and Palak is a different variety which is usually called spinach everywhere (usually made Palak paneer )
Hi Kalpana,
Thank you for the information.
our modern food habit totally neglected the cheap and valuable food item, the Greens. this is mainly due to lack of awareness on the great nutritional and health values of our keerai. Now a days people are more health concious and once they started knowing the value of keerai, definitely they go for taking keerai in their daily diet. The main need of the day is lot of awareness. hope people like you may be able to bring more awareness on the value of keerai.
Thank you Dr Paulraj for writing.
Hi, Good and informative pics of all keerais. Also pls do mention abt Karusalanganni keerai, punarnava and dill too. they too are very nutritious.
Hi , i am your fan tried many of your recipies it’s nice what is pannai keerai also i want recipie for citron (Yellikaai )pickel
Hi Indumathi,
Pannai Keerai is a green mostly found in Nilgris. For pickle, I have already posted some recipes. Please check under Pickle category.
Hi Kamala, Can you throw some light on VITAMIN SOPPU,VITAMIN AKU,VITAMIN KEERAI,which my sister in law grows in Malleswaram,Bangalore.She said she uses it for a variety of dishes including chutneys and says the leafs are simply awesome & delicious.It is not sold in the market and is not much known to many.
Hi Ahobala,
Thank you for the information. There are lot of greens grown only in home gardens and not found in the market. One of such green is “Anise Leaf” which is full of vitamanins. I am not sure whether you are referring to this or something else. If you give me more information on the vitamin green, it will be very useful.
Hi, nice post, will be great if you could mention Hindi & English names for all keerai please
I am a North Indian but love south Indian food and culture.
Thank you for visiting our site. I have already given the english names under each Green. For Hindi names – will update shortly.
Thank you very much for the information. Pls give some recipes in Ponnanganni Keerai – Pink Variety as i have in my Garden.
Also I have Pasalai Keerai (Spinach) as Climbers recipes.
Hi Vijaya Dhanasekar,
Please check this link https://www.kamalascorner.com/tag/keerai-greens – you will find ponnanganni keerai poriyal and other keerai recipes where you can use pasalai keerai too.
Kamala
Please tell me the Tamil. Name for the keerai which is in clover shape in Bengal it is called chickni saag
Very nice ! Useful indeed ! Identified correctly the colours of PONNANGKANNI !
Thank you.
Good collection ma’am! Palak also has two varieties, right? We say pasalai, and with big leaves, another one….
There are so many varieties of spinach available. In India we have two or three varieties viz one with big leaves, another one small leaves. Both are called Pasalai Keerai or Palak only.
Madam,
Your recipes are simple and easy to cook. I have recently turned diabetic. Kindly suggest some recipes. I cannot leave rice and eat chapatis.
Very nice blog. Keep it up !!!
Thank you.
Hi kamala, your tips were very useful, i m really eager to find out what is the tamil name for watercress
It is called ஆடிவேரை(ativerai)in Tamil.
I want the keerai dishes which can effectively work on hair fall