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    Home Β» Recipes Β» Kootu Recipes

    Keerai kootu recipe, south Indian kootu

    July 23, 2009 by Raks Anand 85 Comments / Jump to Recipe

    Keerai-kootu

    Keerai kootu recipe, a south Indian kootu is a part of south Indian Tamil lunch menu, served as accompaniment for rice. Stepwise pictures recipe.

    I love kootu varieties,especially the way my mom does it!! One of her best kootu is Mixed veg kootu, I call it as sakalakalaa kootu😃. Me and my brother used to ask for second and third servings if she makes it and most of the time there will not be anything in the bowl for herself! Next to that kootu,keerai kootu is is the one i love,I can say,have I never tasted a better kootu than my mom’s!( I know this dialogue will be the most heard one😉)

    Keerai means spinach, in India, we get variety of keerai. Commonly it can be told as amaranth leaves for better understanding. But in Tamil nadu, we get a huge variety of keerai, which I get confused to identify which is what. Arai keerai, mulai keerai, siru keerai are the three similar keerai which look similar but different varieties. I have here used mulai keerai. Some call thandu keerai too.

    keera kootu

    I have got requests as well as for my own reference, to update these three keerai varieties. But in singapore, we get only mulai keerai nearby which I buy. So I did not get an opportunity to update. All my India trips are shorter and packed with plans, so fail to get pictures from there too.

    When my friend sangeeta left Singapore,I called her for lunch and this was in my menu….Her daughter and herself liked it very much,she gave her daughter, kootu with parata too and she said it was tasting good with that too. And I can say I am posting this for her and also it will help so many beginners!!

    Keerai-kootu
    Print Pin
    5 from 3 votes

    Keerai kootu recipe

    Keerai kootu recipe, a south Indian kootu is a part of south Indian Tamil lunch menu, served as accompaniment for rice. Stepwise pictures recipe.
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine Indian
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes
    Total Time 35 minutes
    Servings 4
    Cup measurements

    Ingredients

    • 2 small bunches Keerai/ Amaranth leaves I used Mulai keerai with stem
    • ΒΌ cup moong dal/ Paasi paruppu
    • 1 teaspoon Sambar powder
    • β…› teaspoon Turmeric powder
    • salt As needed
    • Sugar a pinch

    To grind:

    • ΒΌ cup Coconut grated
    • Β½ teaspoon Rice flour
    • water little to grind

    To temper:

    • 2 teaspoon Oil
    • Β½ teaspoon Mustard
    • 1 teaspoon Urad dal
    • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
    • 4 Shallots/ small onion
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Remove the root part of the keerai, check for any yellow leaves, infested leaves and take it out.
    • Wash twice or thrice in plenty of water as there will be sand/ dirt. Keep aside for the water to drain. Chop the keerai finely,with stem.
    •  Meanwhile, pressure cook moong dal and grind the coconut and keep aside.
    • Boil a cup of water,vadd turmeric, sambar powder, salt, sugar, followed by the chopped leaves.
    • Turn/ stir the leaves after a minute to ensure even cooking.
    • Cook till the stems are cooked well and then add the cooked,mashed moong dal and stir well.
    • Grind coconut with rice flour and little water to a paste. Add the ground coconut mixture to cooked keerai.
    • Mix well,bring to boil. Switch off the stove.
    • Temper with the items given in the To Temper table in order.

    Notes

    • Adding sugar helps in retaining green. Adding a tiny pinch cooking soda also helps in retaining the green colour. Make sure it is aluminium free cooking soda.
    • After adding dal, stir often as it might get burnt at the bottom.
    • add more shallots/ small onions if its too tiny.Β 
    • Do not add rice flour more than mentioned.
    • Instead of sambar powder, use red chilli powder or green chilli along coconut.
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    InstagramMention @rakskitchen or tag #rakskitchen if you have tried this recipe.

    Keerai kootu method:

    1. Remove the root part of the keerai, check for any yellow leaves, infested leaves and take it out.
      Keerai kootu preparation 1a
    2. Wash twice or thrice in plenty of water as there will be sand/ dirt. Keep aside for the water to drain. Chop the keerai finely,with stem. Meanwhile, pressure cook moong dal and grind the coconut and keep aside.
      Keerai kootu preparation 1b
    3. Boil a cup of water,vadd turmeric, sambar powder, salt, sugar, followed by the chopped leaves.Turn the leaves after a minute to ensure even cooking.
      Keerai kootu preparation 2a
    4. Cook till the stems are soft and add cooked moong dal, stir well.
      Keerai kootu preparation 2b
    5. Grind coconut with rice flour and little water to a paste. Add the ground coconut mixture to cooked keerai.
      Keerai kootu preparation 3a
    6. Mix well,bring to boil. Switch off the stove.
      Keerai kootu preparation 3b
    7. Temper with the items given in the To Temper table in order.

    DSC_0804
    Brown the onions nicely which is very important to enhance the flavor of the kootu. Mix well and serve as an accompaniment or mix this with ghee and rice,tastes heavenly!
    keerai-kootu-recipe
    Updated Picture

    « Medhu vadai, Ulundu vadai recipe - With video
    Puli sadam with garlic »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sailaja Damodaran

      July 23, 2009 at 6:58 am

      I love the colour...excellent with rice

      Reply
    2. jeyashrisuresh

      July 23, 2009 at 7:28 am

      thank u so much raji.keerai kootu loks excellent. adding roasted onions is new o me. Will suely send entries to ur event

      Reply
    3. Sushma Mallya

      July 23, 2009 at 8:23 am

      healthy dish raks...nice colour...will definitely send entries to ur event

      Reply
    4. Suparna

      July 23, 2009 at 8:31 am

      hi Raji,
      LOL ...at the sakalakala kootu ...lol that sounds so cute n funny πŸ˜‰
      Hmmm...I love greens and love them in dals πŸ™‚ Thanks for the recipe with step by step pics.
      WOW! I love the logo of the even ..lol it really is so cweet:)
      it's a fab theme!! and wishing u loads of fun hosting the event!
      TC

      Reply
    5. rekhas kitchen

      July 23, 2009 at 8:58 am

      wow there is no tomato or tamarind in this kootu great since I don't eat pulippu on Friday s this will be a great choice for me simply superb and thank you so much for this delicious recipe looks great. And coming to your event great idea happy hosting will send some sure.

      Reply
    6. LG

      July 23, 2009 at 9:06 am

      Nice theme Raji. Keerai kootu looks delicious!

      Reply
    7. Chitra

      July 23, 2009 at 11:06 am

      Kootu looks yumm..Iam not making it nowadays..Just kadaiyal i make..Have to do and c whether raksha eats it..Nice theme..Will send in something for sure..Happy hosting !!

      Reply
    8. Mangala Bhat

      July 23, 2009 at 11:55 am

      Hey awesome clicks and recipe ..
      Thanks for hosting such a wonderful event .Will surely try something .
      Btw ..Thanks for ur lovely [email protected] blog .
      Hey Haven't decided yet ..plz suggest me dear which one should i ?

      Reply
    9. Gita

      July 23, 2009 at 12:15 pm

      Awesome pictures...love the color of the kootu...Happy hosting πŸ™‚

      Reply
    10. Bharathy

      July 23, 2009 at 12:16 pm

      Heartwaaarming Koottu, with lovely pics as usual...One of my husban'd favourites..
      Event announcement pathu ooodddi vanthen...4 course treat..:( ...hosting guests.. :((..namma pangu koncham kashtam than...

      Reply
    11. Home Cooked Oriya Food

      July 23, 2009 at 12:43 pm

      I loved the kootu....
      Awesome event. I have to post something...

      Reply
    12. Mangala Bhat

      July 23, 2009 at 12:56 pm

      Hey Raji ...Thanks soo much for ur help ..Planing to send 1 st one ..Thanks soo much dear ..:)

      Reply
    13. Kitchen Flavours

      July 23, 2009 at 1:09 pm

      Oh wow.....that's an awesome recipe.....never tried with moong dal and coconut....looks yum....

      Coming to event....sounds gr8...will have to wait for the guest...hehehehe....

      Reply
    14. notyet100

      July 23, 2009 at 1:13 pm

      have something for u if time permits,..:-)hppy hosting,..

      Reply
    15. Hari Chandana

      July 23, 2009 at 2:15 pm

      looks soo delicious and perfect...
      Lovely theme.. happy hosting dear!!

      Reply
    16. A 2 Z Vegetarian Cuisine

      July 23, 2009 at 2:47 pm

      Lovely Kootu, very beautiful photographs. Will definitely send entries for the event.

      Reply
    17. Laavanya

      July 23, 2009 at 3:57 pm

      The fried onions on top is such a fabulous idea and keerai kootu is my favorite. Have not made it with sambar powder before.

      Reply
    18. Anu

      July 23, 2009 at 5:17 pm

      Lovely kootu..... Nice green color...
      Awesome event!!! Will definitely try to send entries to your event.......

      Reply
    19. Vani

      July 23, 2009 at 5:43 pm

      Love that tadka with fried onions! Looks great!

      Reply
    20. Anonymous

      July 23, 2009 at 8:07 pm

      Colorful&healthy dish!awesome pics
      as usual!
      Happy hosting dear!!!

      Reply
    21. Vibaas

      July 24, 2009 at 1:03 am

      this sounds yummo, raji. never tried this version before. hope i can participate in your event and send in some entries.

      Reply
    22. Nags

      July 24, 2009 at 5:02 am

      damn! i just cooked for people weekend before last and all the recipes are in my blog but i dont have a final pic πŸ™ i hardly ever entertain either..

      sigh.. nice idea for an event though..

      Reply
    23. Uma

      July 24, 2009 at 5:53 am

      Gorgeous Kootu! looks toooo tempting. Nice event! Happy hosting πŸ™‚

      Reply
    24. Divya Vikram

      July 24, 2009 at 7:26 am

      Vibrant and pretty pics. And happy hosting the event.

      Reply
    25. Miri

      July 24, 2009 at 8:12 am

      Wow! you have taken the humble jeerai kootu to another level with the addition of coconut and the onion tempering! Great recipe!

      Reply
    26. DEESHA

      July 24, 2009 at 1:02 pm

      nice recipe .. & a nice event too. Happy hosting dear

      Reply
    27. Prathibha

      July 24, 2009 at 1:57 pm

      Lovely kootu...what a great event dear...will definitely help us to get some ideas....

      Reply
    28. Valarmathi

      July 24, 2009 at 5:39 pm

      Wow looks so yummy. nice click.

      Reply
    29. Varsha Vipins

      July 24, 2009 at 10:57 pm

      What great pics Raks..cant stop drooling..I hav tried this with toor dal but not with moong dal..will do tat next time..n this sambar powder always confuses me..u have alink of it here?else could u please share it with us?
      ..n I have something coming up for the event..!:)

      Reply
    30. prasukitchen.blogspot.com

      July 25, 2009 at 3:55 am

      Nice click dear!! u r really patient enough to take step by step pics ..
      Lovely Dish

      Reply
    31. Priya Narasimhan

      July 25, 2009 at 8:24 am

      Nice picture Raks..This is my favourite kootu too. πŸ™‚ Reg the event, if there are no guests during the event duration, I can't participate in the event, is it???? πŸ™

      Reply
    32. Shama Nagarajan

      July 25, 2009 at 1:56 pm

      healthy kootu.....nice event

      Reply
    33. Priya Narasimhan

      July 25, 2009 at 3:21 pm

      Thanks for clarifying my doubt reg the vent Raks..I have been planning to make an elaborate meal for the family eversince I bought "dinner menus" mini book series by tarla dalal..Now, definitely I will make it atleast to participate in the event. πŸ™‚

      Reply
    34. Parita

      July 26, 2009 at 5:55 pm

      i loved keerai kootu, looks soooo good! nice idea for event, i'll be entertaining few guests in august so the timing is perfect!

      Reply
    35. Hema

      July 27, 2009 at 1:56 am

      Awesome click as usual Raji... Do you use a SLR camera. I am thinking of buying one too..

      Reply
    36. Kitchen Flavours

      July 27, 2009 at 10:21 am

      Wow nice header.....

      Reply
    37. meeso

      July 27, 2009 at 6:35 pm

      Any dish with greens is tempting to me... Looks awesome!

      Reply
    38. aquadaze

      July 28, 2009 at 5:40 am

      this looks very nice!! Love the theme of your event will try and send in something!

      Reply
    39. Hema

      July 28, 2009 at 5:39 pm

      Hi Raji,
      Please accept your award from my blog
      Regards,
      Hema.

      Reply
    40. Yasmeen

      July 28, 2009 at 6:40 pm

      Dish looks very healthy with all the greens.Have fun hosting πŸ™‚

      Reply
    41. Nithya Praveen

      July 28, 2009 at 7:44 pm

      nice color......looks great

      Reply
    42. lata raja

      July 28, 2009 at 8:45 pm

      lovely green kootu. Have aproper menu for the event. will send for the event.

      Reply
    43. Cilantro

      July 28, 2009 at 10:51 pm

      Great event,It will help most of us as we tend to be in a dilemma of what to cook when guests arrive.
      Kootu looks delicious. I normally will not add rice powder, should try next time.

      Reply
    44. Mandira

      July 29, 2009 at 1:06 am

      the kootu looks great! the pics look amazing.

      Reply
    45. raaji

      July 29, 2009 at 1:39 am

      I very much miss this leafy vegetable here...nice if could get a bowl of it for my dinner

      Reply
    46. ARUNA

      July 29, 2009 at 6:16 am

      Kootu looks mouth-watering!!!

      Reply
    47. Doloncookbook

      July 29, 2009 at 9:15 am

      Hi Raji , Please collect the award from my blog .
      Loved the recipe & the colour ...Very nice ...

      Reply
    48. Pari

      July 29, 2009 at 9:51 am

      Count on my entry too. I am visiting your blog first time and will return again.
      Do find time to dig into my space and leave me a note.

      Reply
    49. Sushma Mallya

      July 30, 2009 at 4:08 am

      hi raks...i have nominated u for the kreativ blogger award as i feel u truely deserve this as u got a really lovely blog....pls collect it from my blog...

      Reply
    50. Sanghi

      July 30, 2009 at 8:03 am

      Delicious kootu.. Even i love it..! Yummy!

      Reply
    51. EC

      August 03, 2009 at 5:03 am

      Guess that..I saw ur announcement at the right time..am expecting some guests next week..so most probably u will get my entry soon

      Reply
    52. Priti

      August 04, 2009 at 4:02 am

      Hey gal how r u? Yup am back...tell u the story later ;)..inbtw kootu looks so gud and wow your event...cool ma

      Reply
    53. Seena

      August 08, 2009 at 10:19 am

      Raj, i really loved that seasoning! πŸ™‚

      Reply
    54. arti agarwal

      August 14, 2009 at 10:45 am

      very nice event.I'll surely try for it

      Reply
    55. Anonymous

      August 19, 2009 at 6:51 pm

      Hi there,

      First time on your blog and that sounds like a really nice event..Thoughtful as it would give n ideas for cooking for guests...Will def submit my entries...

      Shobha

      Reply
    56. Preeti Kashyap

      August 27, 2009 at 1:47 am

      And not to forget your Keerai Kootu looks yumm and tempting!

      Reply
    57. Preeti Kashyap

      August 27, 2009 at 1:47 am

      Hey...would love to participate...but have a tiny doubt...i have the starter and dessert not in the same picture...and they are not indian dishers...it is ok?

      Reply
    58. Cham

      September 03, 2009 at 3:12 am

      Kootu is my fav and appetizing keerai kootu πŸ™‚

      Reply
    59. s

      September 03, 2009 at 3:12 am

      just had guests last evening..have individual pics but not together,,too bad i cany take part..will c next time!

      Reply
    60. Oc

      September 14, 2009 at 4:12 am

      looking forward to the round trip πŸ™‚

      Reply
    61. Neha

      September 14, 2009 at 9:49 am

      Nice theme and kottu looks delicious...
      Waiting for the round up...

      Reply
    62. Kitchen Flavours

      September 14, 2009 at 9:49 am

      Just dropped in my entry....

      Reply
    63. Kitchen Flavours

      September 14, 2009 at 9:49 am

      Just dropped in my entry....

      Reply
    64. My Experiments with Cooking

      September 16, 2009 at 5:43 am

      Nahiiiin!I don't have any pictures of whole spread. I don't have many guests first place. And by the way nice kootu πŸ™‚ Come, participate in my event!

      Reply
    65. Preeti Kashyap

      September 29, 2009 at 12:44 pm

      love the pics! healthy kootu! yummm

      Reply
    66. Induslady

      May 25, 2010 at 7:54 am

      Hi Raks,

      Some of the traditional recipes in your "Raks" blogspot Rocks!!

      I tried this Koorai Kootu with one variety of thandu keerai we get here in the US (not sure of the Keerai's name).

      It simply tasted awesome. We as a family had it mixed with rice, as a side for chappatis and it was very good. Thanks for this recipe.

      I think the trick is adding ground coconut+rice flour and brown roasted onions. Yum!

      Reply
    67. pavi

      October 03, 2011 at 2:44 pm

      Raji, I tried dis yummy kootu:) so tasty:) no tamarind...no tomato..still so tasty:) could do it in minutes:) nice option for spinsters lik me:) thank u:) I decided to try many more!!!

      Reply
    68. RAKS KITCHEN

      October 03, 2011 at 2:45 pm

      Thank you for the feedback πŸ™‚

      Reply
    69. renanaisaani

      October 05, 2012 at 8:26 pm

      please can you tell me what is this KEERAI and MOLAI keerai i would like to make eat assoon as possible by look only i cant resist leaving the receipe page can you answer my comment.
      THANKYOU

      Reply
    70. Rajendra

      November 14, 2012 at 10:19 am

      You are the Mother if all Recipes ... Love u Sis ... God Bless You !!!

      Reply
    71. pyariwaseema

      November 17, 2012 at 7:48 am

      What do i say.. im speechless... your recipies are the ultimate..... i cant thank u enuff.. tried this recipie.. simply loved this stuff. the best part is my 8 month old baby who usually prefers/ has a sweet tooth was literally licking this curry.. he he he

      Reply
    72. renanaisaani

      November 17, 2012 at 12:27 pm

      I LIKED THE PICTURE AND THE RECEIPE SEEING ONLY I FELL LIKING EAT IT LOOKS SO VERY VERY TASTY BUT TO TELL YOU I WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS KEERAI KOTTU WHICH VEGETABLE IS IT I KNOW ITS GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLE BUT I STAY IN GOA SO WHAT ITS THE OTHER NAME FOR IT PLEASE DO LET ME KNOW. I HAD MAILED BUT YOU DIDNT REPLY PLEASE DO REPLY NOW. SORRY FOR TROUBLE AND THANKS A LOT FOR SHARING YOUR RECEIPE.

      Reply
    73. RAKS KITCHEN

      November 17, 2012 at 12:31 pm

      Hi Rena, it is Amaranth leaves. Let me know if you still having trouble in figuring out the spinach.

      Reply
    74. renanaisaani

      November 18, 2012 at 7:45 am

      Thank you so is it spinach? OR Amarnath leaves n spinach are same? Some one from here told me it might be bachala its like creeper n leaves are like money plant but thin n green in colour. so please do reply to my mail n thank you once again.and my name is Rehana.
      Rehana

      Reply
    75. RAKS KITCHEN

      November 18, 2012 at 7:45 am

      Its Amaranth leaves only.

      Reply
    76. Pradeepa Naresh

      November 28, 2012 at 12:15 am

      grinding jeera with coconut gives nice taste...

      Reply
    77. Pradeepa Naresh

      November 28, 2012 at 12:15 am

      u can also add jeera while griding coconut, gives nice taste...

      Reply
    78. kirthu

      April 05, 2013 at 7:22 am

      Hi Raji... I have been going through your blog since recent times, kind of addicted to ur blog :)) almost everyday looking into it and trying each of your delicacies , Became my closest friend becoz of that, especially your karadaian nonbu adai, my mom only makes it every time, after seeing that gorgeous texture in your blog i pinned to give it a try on my own, like that i can keep on telling about you :)) today i tried this keerai kootu , it came out well, this time i wanted to write to you , thank u so much

      Reply
    79. RAKS KITCHEN

      April 05, 2013 at 7:24 am

      Thank you very much πŸ™‚ Friend πŸ™‚

      Reply
    80. kamali s

      May 05, 2014 at 1:35 am

      In this while grinding, add little cumin(seeragam) gives a great taste.

      Reply
    81. Rismiya Nasrudeen

      April 02, 2015 at 10:45 am

      Hi......your recipes are great......tried many with great success.....thanks
      Can I make this kootu with palak leaves ?

      Reply
    82. Raks anand

      April 02, 2015 at 10:48 am

      I havent tried, but why not? You can try.

      Reply
    83. Rismiya Nasrudeen

      April 09, 2015 at 10:49 am

      I tried with palak leaves.....came out yummy....thanks

      Reply
    84. Mabel Nisha

      March 29, 2018 at 2:16 pm

      Shall we use arai keerai instead of this ?

      Reply
    85. Raks Kitchen

      March 30, 2018 at 2:20 pm

      Sure

      Reply

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    Raks anand

    Hi, I'm Rajeswari Vijayanand! I am the person behind Rakskitchen, sharing recipes with pictures & videos.

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    Hi, I'm Rajeswari Vijayanand! I am the person behind Rakskitchen, sharing recipes with pictures & videos.

    More about me β†’

    Popular

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