Drumstick Greens Usili
- 12
- May
- 2009
Murungai Keerai Usili: Moringa Keerai Poriyal. Murungai Keerai Masala Poriyal. Moringa ilai thoran(Tamil Nadu Style) Moringha oleifera is the Botanical name of this tree. We call this as ‘Murungai Keerai’ in Tamil. The leaves are rich in iron and potassium. Rich source of dietary fibre. It is an aphrodisiac plus stimulant. It has good content […]
Alfalfa Fried Rice
- 23
- April
- 2009
Alfalfa Fried Rice: Science behind the Sprouts: When a seed holds up a tuff cover, packed with high protein and carbohydrate! Upon germination(a crucial period of sudden raise in their active molecules). At the expense of some protein it gets converted into all essential vitamins! Since a germinating plant needs all support for growth(survival of […]
Vallarai Keerai Paruppu
- 07
- April
- 2009
Vallarai Keerai Kothu Paruppu: Centella asiatica is the Botanical name of this creeper! The English common name is ‘Asian Penny wort’ or ‘Penny Wort’. They call this as Brahmi/ Gotu Kola is Hindi. We call it ‘Vallarai Keerai’ in Tamil. Other names: Bemgsag, Brahma manduki, Brahmanduki, Brahmi, Ondelaga and Gotu Kola. This is a wild […]
Bok Choy & Shrimps Curry
- 03
- April
- 2009
Boy Choy & Shrimps Thanni Kuzhambu: Sothi Kuzhambu. Iral-Keerai Sothi Kuzhambu. Boy Choy & Shrimps Stew. Shrimps and Greens Stew. Botanical name of Bok Choi is Brassica chinensis. It comes under cabbage family! This is commonly called as ‘Chinese Cabbage’. It initially spread to European countries and America, where Chinese settlements were high! Though I […]
Keezhanelli Mor
- 21
- March
- 2009
Keezhanelli Mor: Phyllanthus amarus/ Phyllanthus nururui is the Botanical of this fragile plant! It is called Keezhanelli in Tamil. Keezh – Under/Underneath and Nelli – Berry/ goose berry/ amla!! This teeny plant has sesame seed sized leaves and underneath each leaf blade, it posses black mustard sized berries, which looks exactly like microscopic amla/gooseberry…Oh Tamilians […]
Gongura Leaves Curry
- 23
- February
- 2009
Pulicha Keerai Kootu: Sorrel Leaves Curry. Sorrel leaves Kootu. The Botanical name of this greens is Hibiscus acetosa/ Rumex acetosa. The species name acetosa signifies its ‘sour’ nature. We call this as ‘Puicha Keerai’ in Tamil. The English common name is ‘Red Sorrel’ or ‘Wood Sorrel’. They call it as ‘Gongura’ in Telugu. These greens […]
Radish Greens Poriyal
- 22
- February
- 2009
Radish Greens Poriyal: Radish Greens Vepudu. Mullangi Keerai Poriyal. Most of them, use beets and radish and throw way the greens! Well…these greens are also rich in vitamins! Radish greens contains more vitamin C than the root! Like many other cruciferous vegetables/greens(Cabbage family) these radish greens posses cancer-protecting properties! The high sulfur from these greens […]
Ivy Gourd Leaves with Lentils
- 05
- February
- 2009
Kovai Ilai Dhall: Ivy Gourd Leaves Soup. Kovai Thazhai Dhall. Kovaikkai Keerai Kothu Paruppu. Gherkins Leaves in Food preparations. Dhondakai Greens in Cooking. Tinda / Tindora Leaves in cooking. Dondaikai Koora Pappu Chaaru. Ivy Gourd is considered as weed in many parts of the world and even in India. It comes under the Cucurbitaceae family(Family […]
Mutton Mullu Keerai Kuzhambu
- 10
- December
- 2008
Mutton Mullu Keerai Kuzhambu: We call this greens as ‘Mullu Keerai’ in Tamil. Belongs to the same Family ‘Amaranthus’ like Araikeerai. Only thing is, it has lots of spines in the stem. The Botanical name of this greens is ‘Amaranthus spinosus’(‘spinosus’ species name signifies, it has spines). I could never buy the fact that is […]
Paruppu Keerai Masiyal
- 02
- December
- 2008
Paruppu Keerai Masiyal: We call this greens as Paruppu Keerai in Tamil. Botanical name of this greens is ‘Talinum cuneifolium’. It is said to have the properties to lower one’s blood glucose level. Tribal use them with care, saying it has lots of medicinal value, treating their mouth ulcer, diabetes, cough, pulmonary tuberculosis, diarrhea and […]
