Cheera Avial

Red amaranth leaves is called cheera in Kerala.  Avial is an unavoidable item on all occasions. Normally, it is made with a variety of vegetables. Here, I am giving a different recipe which I learned from my mom-in-law.

Basic info about the recipe

Cuisine                                                                         - South Indian

Serves                                                                          - 3-4 people.

Ingredients:

1.   Red spinach                                            - 400 gms

2.   Coconut                                                   - half a coconut

3.   Turmeric powder                                     - ½ tsp

4.   Shallots                                                    - 4-5 nos

5.   Green chillies                                           - 2- 3 nos

6.   Oil                                                             - 2 tsp

7.   Salt                                                           - to taste

8.   Cumin                                                       - ½ tsp

9.   Curd                                                          - 2 tbsp

10.                       Curry leaves                                   - 4-5 nos

Method: Clean and chop the spinach.

Boil the spinach with turmeric powder and salt.

In a mixer, grind the grated coconut, shallots , cumin and green chillies.(do not make a fine paste)

Add this to the boiled spinach. Add curd and stir for 5 mts.

Switch off the gas and add a tsp of oil and curry leaves on top. Serve hot.

Note: Instead of curd, you can add a piece of raw mango or a tsp of tamarind paste.

Instead of grinding chillies, you can make a slit to them and add at the time of cooking spinach.