Palak Masiyal
I owe you all an apology for abandoning my blog for such a long time. No, I don’t have a good excuse this time. All I could say is…this time of the season, am being very lazy! Besides its always the ‘starting trouble’ at my end. If I give myself a couple of days break from my routine…that’s it! Yeah, am gone for the good!! Its very hard to pat myself and to drag myself to the track, hehe.

Anyhow…I was also feeling very weak and invalid, lately! Especially, after a prolonged workout! Generally people get all energized. But, since this summer is bit harsh and all…work-out is being very exhaustive…and am falling below the average weight!

While thinking of R& R (relaxing and rejuvenating)…I got remembered about this reference. My Dad said…Kaanchi Paramachariyaar (the previous madadhipathy of the Kanchipuram Temple), who used to deny food and live a humble life with prolonged hours of meditation. His basic diet was only ‘arisi pori – mor‘ (puffed rice with buttermilk in a small bowl). He was bone thin and everyone around him were concerned! When he finally decided to have a small portion of rice with keerai masiyal ( above greens dish). He felt that he was instantly rejuvenated and felt being strong. That’s the quality our simple food posses.

Sometimes, we don’t value our simple meal until others quote about it. When necessity comes, our soul searches for the comforting bowl. At the end of the day, which could hug us like long lost friend.

Ingredients:

Spinach 1 bunch
Garlic 5-6 cloves
Green chilies 5
Onion 1 small bulb
Tomato 1 small
Tamarind paste 1/2 spoon
Salt
Oil few spoons.

To Temper:

Thalippu Vadagam 1 teaspoon
Mustard seeds 1/4 spoon
Cumin seeds 1 pinch
Asafoetida 1 pinch
Urid dal 1 teaspoon
Red chilies 2-3
Curry leaves few
Oil few spoons

Method:

Heat oil and add all the ingredients, cover and cook briefly or until the greens wilt.

Now wet-grind the same and transfer the contents in a serving bowl.

In a separate pan, heat oil and temper the spices. Now run this seasoning over the chutney made.

Serve warm with steaming hot rice.

Thats it, call it a day and relax:) Am positive that you will be thrilled to comfort yourself with this dish:)