Paruppu Keerai masiyal(Stew with Greens and Lentils)

By Harini
Unlike most of the people I have met,I love greens.Any green leafy vegetable is my favorite,I can enjoy them in their own glory,with out any masking to change the color or hide the flavor.But I know I have not blogged much about greens here in this space,its because mostly I think these recipes are outright simple.Most of the time I keep the recipe as simple as possible to bring out the real flavor of greens.Recently I got a request for this paruppu keerai masiyal recipe.
Paruppu keerai is a specific greens variety and looks like this.
This is especially used to make a stew like preparation with gram dal.Extremely simple,fat free,vegan and rich in protein and vitamins,oh did I say that,it is tasty,very much.Try making this in earthen ware if possible,it is absolutely flavorful that way.Else you can transfer the stew to an earthen serving pot after making in normal vessel.
Paruppu keerai masiyal recipe
Star ingredients:Paruppu keerai and gram dal(moong dal/pasi paruppu)
Time:30 minutes
Serves:3

Ingredients:
1 small or 1/2 large bunch paruppu keerai
1/2-3/4 cup gram dal
2-3 dried red chillies
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/4 teaspoon asafoetida
Salt
Oil to temper
Method:
1.Pluck and was the greens thoroughly.I usually dont chop them aa they are very small.Wash and drain the moong dal
2.Heat a wide vessel over medium flame,add moong dal ,plucked greens to it and add water just above the level.Boil for around 20 minutes till well cooked and gravy is thickened.Add salt and boil for 5 more minutes.
3.Heat a small kadai and add 1/4 teaspoon oil.Temper with cumin seeds,asafoetida and red chillies.Add the tempering and mix well.Remove from flame and serve hot with rice/rotis
Notes:
1.Usually this is made a little thick like kootu,but I like to make it thin so it easy to mix with rice and eat.
2.I do not prefer adding soda to retain the color.You can add 1/4 teaspoon sugar while boiling.
3.You can add any greens if paruppu keerai is not available.
4.You can even use rally tender stems along with leaves.