Keerai masiyal | Mashed spinach

Keerai masiyal is very popular in Tamilnadu. But each one has their own style. I don't like adding dal to spinach since it loses color. If you want more quantity but you have less spinach, cooked toor dal can be added. :) Adding garlic and onion is for flavor. A very simple and quick recipe that can be done in minutes. You can mix with plain rice or drink as a soup too....

Ingredients:

• Spinach - 3 cups
• Green chilly - 2
• Tomato - 1
• Garlic - 2 pods
• Salt - as per taste

To temper:

• Oil  - 1 tsp
• Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
• Urad dal - 1/2 tsp
• Chopped onion - 1 tbsp

Method:

In a sauce pan, heat 1/4 cup of water. Add green chilly, garlic, tomato and spinach. After spinach is cooked let it cool down. Using a blender grind the spinach to a smooth paste.

In a small fry pan, heat a tsp of oil add mustard, urad dal and onion and fry till onion turns pinkish. Transfer to spinach. Serve with rice or drink as a soup.

Note:

• Do not cover the lid, while cooking spinach. You will lose the color.
• If needed, toor dal can be cooked and added for more protein.
• Tempering can be avoided while taking as a soup.