Ponnanganni Keerai Poriyal is a nutritious South Indian dish made with fresh Ponnanganni leaves and green gram dhal.


Start by plucking and washing the leaves, then chop them finely. Cook the green gram dhal with a pinch of turmeric until it’s mostly done but still firm. In a heated kadai, add oil and mustard seeds. Wait for them to pop. Then fry urad dhal and asafoetida until the dhal turns light brown. Add broken red chilies and fry briefly before stirring in the chopped greens. Cover and cook on low heat briefly, then uncover, stir, and add salt, cooking until the greens are dry. Finally, mix in the cooked dhal. Add the coconut gratings. Cook on low heat for a few more seconds before serving. Enjoy Ponnanganni Keerai Poriyal as a side for rice.
This Poriyal can be prepared with any available Keerai. Still, Ponnanganni Keerai has a crispy texture and is perfect for poriyal. It also improves eyesight, complexion, and reduces flabbiness. It is good for piles complaints too.
A very good recipe. My mother uses the stem of the plant also. She cuts them into very small pieces. Without turdal, she prepares it with ground cocoanut masaala. Medicinal qualities of this greens are proven in day to day practice. Thank you for preserving our tradition.
Hi Xavier,
Thank you for sharing your mother’s method of preparation.
it is really delicious.
Thank you Henakatha Krishnan.
I happened to stumble upon your blog while browsing for ponnaganni keerai recipes. I tried this poriyal. It is delectable& yummy !
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My wife tried this recipe. very tasty. thanks to kamala madam.
Thank you Mr Ramachandran for your kind feed back.
Dear Kamala Madam,
Thank you for the collective keerai recipes.
Can I use the stem as well ? Expecially for Ponnankanni Keerai, removing stems seems to be very very tedious.
Hi Deepa,
If the stem is very tender, you can use it. If you use hard stem, it may affect the taste and texture of the Keerai.
Hi
I tried this today and it was totally yummy 🙂 Thanks! for sharing the recipe.
Best Regards
Thank you for your kind feed back.
Tried ponnaganni keerai recipe. Very tasty. Thank you
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