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 […]
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 […]
Methi – Chana Curry
- 30
- November
- 2008
Chana Methi Curry: Kondaikadalai Vendhaya Keerai Kuzhambu. Garbanzo Fenugreek Greens Curry dish. Like most of us, I too hated bitter tasting greens in cooking. Few South Indian preparations, like Kuzhambu will make it less bitter after cooking. But I always appreciated North Indian style of greens preparation. Pairing greens with certain beans and pungent, acrid […]
Night Shade Greens Stir-Fry
- 17
- November
- 2008
Manathakkali Keerai Poriyal: The Botanical name of this plant is ‘Solanum nigrum’. Its a perennial plant grows in wild all over India. It is said that it originated from west Africa. Manathakkali is called ‘Black NightShade’/ ‘Night Shade Plant’ in English. In Hindi it is called ‘Makoy’. In Telugu its called ‘Kamanchi Chettu’. Well…in Tamil […]
Chicory Leaves Fritters
- 11
- November
- 2008
Kasini Keerai Bonda: The Botanical name of this greens is Cichorium intybus. Common English name is chicory leaves. Yeah….the roots of it….is powdered and used in coffee(my fav’). We call it Kasini keerai in Tamil. Some of its Uses: It balances pitta and kapha. Cures chronic and deep-rooted fevers. Purifies and improves blood circulation. It […]
Chicken Fenugreek Greens Pilaf
- 01
- November
- 2008
Chicken Methi Pulav: Chicken with Fenugreek Greens Pulav. Kozhi Vendhaya Keerai Saadham. Murg-Methi ka Pulav. Kodi Menthilu Annam. Fenugreek greens are known as Methika in Sanskrit and Methi patha in Hindi. The Botanical name of this greens are Trigonella foenum. The English common name is Fenugreek leaves. We call this Vendhaya keerai in Tamil. In […]
