Keerai kadayal / Mashed Vegetable Gravy

Info 1: This dish is a good detox and is really healthy.It goes well with crispy fried fish or anchovies.You can make a large batch and divide it into smaller portions.It lasts for at least three days when refrigerated.It can be eaten with rice , chapati or you can use it as your soup base. 

Ingredients you need :
(serving size : 4 portion)
15 shallots ( small onions)                
1 bulb of garlic
1 1/2  in fresh tumeric
5 green chilies ( de seed )
  * add 3-4 bird eye chilies if you like it hot
5 sprigs curry leaves
4 aubergines (small to medium size)
1 large carrot
1-2 large tomatoes
1 bundle of spinach 
1 bundle of Indian spinach (pasalai keerai)
1/2 teaspoon of mustard leaves
1/2 teaspoon of cumin seeds
a little oil
some salt

Info 2 : There is a variety of spinach. Some are red and some are green. Each one is really healthy. You could also add other vegetables like 2-3 okras or pullicha keerai to this dish. If you use pullicha keerai than you don"t have to use tomatoes cause both have sourish taste.

Method :
1. Clean the leafy vegetables and leave them in a basin of water for at least 10 minutes.Remove the water and wash the vegetables again.Leave them aside.

two types of spinach , cleaned and washed.

tumeric

2. Clean and wash all the other ingredients.

aubergine,carrot,shallots,garlic,chilies,carrot,aubergine and curry leaves

3. Add one or two tablespoons of oil or ghee to a large pot. Throw in the mustard seeds and cumin. Fry for short while.( You know its done when the mustard seeds start cracking ) . Use low flame .Do not use high flame cause your spices will be burnt easily.

mustard seeds and cumin

4.Add the ingredients in number 2( tumeric,shallots,garlic,chilies,carrot,aubergine and curry leaves) and the tomatoes.Stir fry for a few minutes, about 1-2 minutes.Then add 1 1/2 cup of water and leave it to boil. Cover the pot to allow the ingredients to cook well. Usually 5 minutes should be fine.

5. Add the leafy vegetables. Stir continuously till all the ingredients are well mixed. Add some salt then cover the pot and let it cook for about 1 minute. Switch off the stove and leave the pot opened to cool down the vegetables.

leave the pot opened to cool the vegetables

add the leafy vegetables and stir well

6. Blend the whole mixture for a minute or two. Divide and store the blended keerai gravy in the refrigerator.Heat up the portion you want either in the microwave or on the stove. Do not let it boil  cause you will be destroying the vitamins. Just heat it up on a low flame and serve.

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