Drumstick Leaf Powder/Murungai Keerai Podi/Murungai Keerai Podi Recipe-How to make Murungai Keerai Podi At home

I started to post recipes with drumstick leaves/murungaikeerai, and promised to post more of murungai keerai recipes. As promised, I have come up with murungai keerai podi/drum stick leaves powder, which is a very healthy recipe and can be had with white rice or as side dish for idlis and dosas. Murungai keerai has n number of health benefits which I have shared here also. When drumstick leaves are consumed along with pure ghee, they stimulate the blood circulation in the body to induce the re-growth of hair folliciles. Consumption of drumstick leaves are advised for ladies and girls suffering from calcium deficiency and insufficient iron in the blood. These leaves improve the defence mechanism in our body and thus fight against many types of infections. The antimicrobial properties of drumstick leaves cure throat, chest and many types of skin infections. Having said all this now let’s move on to see this easy and healthy drumstick leaves powder/murungai keerai powder. Meanwhile do check out murungai keeraisambar and murungai keerai egg poriyal which I have posted earlier.

Here’s how to make Murungai Keerai Powder with step by step photos…

Murungai Keerai Sambar/Drumstick Leaves Sambar/Murungai Keerai Sambar Recipe

Today I am going to share a very healthy and loving recipe – murungai keerai sambar from my kitchen. We have Murugaikeerai tree[mom’s house] in our backyard, so I have decided to share lot more drumstick leaves recipe in the following post. If you have murugai keerai tree in your back yard it means you have a doctor at home. It has excellent medicinal values and is a cure for lots of diseases. It has the amazing healing power to cure wounds inside the stomach, reduces headache and bloody diarrhea. Murungaikeerai purifies our blood and excretes all the toxins out of our body. It is an excellent source of calcium and helps in building stronger bones and teeth. They also contain abundant amount of potassium which plays a vital role in brain development. I have shared a few benefits of murungai keerai in this post and will be sharing more benefits about the same in the upcoming post. For now, do try out this wonderful, traditional and authentic murungaikeerai sambar and post your comments here. Mean while do not forget to check out other sambar varieties here.

Here’s how to make Murungaikeerai Sambar….

Mudakathan Keerai Kara Kuzhambu/Mudakathan Keerai Puli Kuzhambu/Balloon Vines Leaves Gravy

Mudakathan Keerai/Balloon Vines Leaves is a very popular keerai variety in TamilNadu used for treating joint pains. Usually compresses are prepared using mudakathan keerai and applied on joints for the pain. Herbal hair oils are also prepared with mudakathan keerai which helps to fight dandruff. Other common recipes that are prepared are Mudakathan Keerai Dosai, Mudakathan Keerai Soup, Mudakathan Keerai Kuzhambu etc. For now I am sharing Mudakathan Keerai Kara Kuzhambu with you all, please try it out friends and reap the benefits of the same. Meanwhile do not forget to check out other interesting South Indian Kuzhambu varieties here.

Here’s how to make Mudakathan Keerai Kara Kuzhambu with step by step photos…

Thoothuvalai Keerai Chutney/Thoothuvalai Keerai Chutney Recipe/Thoothuvalai Keerai Recipe with step by step photos

Thoothuvalai Keerai [Solanum Trilobatum] is an excellent herb with numerous and amazing health benefits. It is used in treating common cold, cough and to get rid of phlegm in our chest. Thoothuvalai is basically a thorny creeper with purple flowers and red fruits and grows really very fast. Thoothuvalai creeper has lots of thorns in the leaves, so when your plucking it, you should be very careful. My best advice is to use scissors when cleaning the leaves. Many recipes like thoothuvalai kashayam, thoothuvalai rasam etc are made in many households. Thoothuvalai is available in vegetable markets or from street vendors, but I pluck it from my mom’s garden whenever I get a chance. For now, I am sharing Thoothuvalai Keerai Chutney which is an excellent side dish for idlis and dosas. I know Thoothuvalai is not available in most of the places, but if you come across or get a chance, then do try to make some chutney and reap the benefits of the same. Meanwhile, do check out other interesting and tempting chutney varieties here.

Here’s how to make Thoothuvalai Keerai Chutney with step by step photos…

Manathakkali Keerai Thuvaiyal Recipe/Black Night Shade Keerai Thuvaiyal Recipe/Healthy Manathakkali Keerai Thuvaiyal with step by step photos

Today I am going to share with you all a very healthy and a different thuvaiyal recipe which not many people are aware of. I have already shared the benefits of manathakkali keerai earlier. Do check it out in Manathakkali Keerai Thanni recipe, Manathakkali Keerai Kootu  which I have posted earlier. This keerai has numerous health benefits and cures ulcer and acidity problems. For today, I made Thuvaiyal with this keerai, you can add it to plain white rice and have it with pappad or you can also serve it as side dish for idlis, dosas or chapathis. Another lovely way to make your kids eat this thuvaiyal is, spread it on bread slices, arrange more vegetables and serve them healthy and tasty sandwiches. Meanwhile do not forget to check out other keerai/greens recipes here. & Keerai Varieties with recipes here

Here’s how to make Manathakkali Keerai Thuvaiyal recipe with step by step photos…

Araikeerai Puli Kadaiyal Recipe/Araikeerai Puli Masiyal Recipe/How to make AraiKeerai Puli Kadaiyal with step by step photos

Today I am going to share with you all a very healthy and nutritious Araikeerai Puli Kadaiyal. This puli kadaiyal recipe is super tasty, tangy and spicy, everything in right amount. Araikeerai/Amaranthus Tristis, like any other green is loaded with iron, calcium, anitoxidants and other vitamins and minerals. Araikeerai is an excellent remedy for cold, cough, immunity and builds strength in our body. It is said to play a vital role in helping people suffering from neuritis/nerve related problems. I have read in one of the Ayurvedic books which states that, if araikeerai is included in our diet everyday it helps in curing long term diseases like cervical spondylosis, nerve pain, head ache, migrane etc. For this a very strict diet containing araikeerai kadaiyal and pepper rasam has to be followed every day. [Ref from Book: Nattu Moolikaigal by Dr. Venkatesan]. With this short note let us move on to the recipe. Do not forget to try this araikeerai puli kadaiyal and post your feedback here. MEanwhile do check out other healthy and interesting Keerai Recipes here and All about Keerai Varieties & Recipes here.

Here’s how to make Araikeerai Puli Kadaiyal with step by step photos…

Keerai Varieties/Keerai Vagaigal/Greens in Tamil and English with Photos And Traditional Keerai Recipes

Today I am going to share with you all glossary of keerai varieties/Greens in English and Tamil. I have arranged the glossary with photos of keerai/greens, will be updating when ever possible as well. Please give me more suggestions and other different varieties of keerai/greens. Also check out interesting Keerai Recipes in this link.

Here's the glossary of keerai vafaifal with photos....

Karpooravalli Bajji

Hello friends,

Today, I am going to share a very aromatic, healthy and a wonderful evening snack – Karpooravalli Bajji. I have already posted karpooravalli thuvaiyal, which is another interesting and healthy recipe which you all must try. Do check it out in the link. Feeding the kids karpooravalli is a real challenge, but make this karpooravalli bajji and the kids will surely love it. Do try it out friends and have a great week end. Do check out other interesting appetizers/starters in the link and enjoy.

Here’s how to make Karpooravalli Bajji with step by step photos…

Manathakkali Keerai Thanni Saru Recipe/மணத்தக்காளி கீரை தண்ணி சாறு/Black Nightshade Soup with Coconut Milk/Solanum Nigrum Soup/Makoi Soup with Coconut Milk-Keeraithanni Recipe with Video in both English & Tamil

Manathakkali keerai/Black nightshade has numerous medicinal properties. It is rich in antioxidants, iron, vitamins, minerals and loaded with calcium. The amount of phosphorous present in it helps in the growth and development of brain nerves.  Manathakkkali Keerai is an excellent cure for mouth ulcers and stomach ulcers. In Tamil medicine it said that you should consume the manathakkali keerai raw leaves [7-8] in the morning in empty stomach. This is an excellent remedy and cure for stomach and mouth ulcers. This manathakkali keerai thanni, prepared with coconut milk is my grandma’s recipe. After I got married, when I made this recipe, my husband and my in-laws were surprised, it was really new to them and they loved it. Anyway friends try out this keerai thanni and post your comments. This keerai thanni or soup can be made with agathi keerai or murungai keerai which also has unique and wonderful taste. Do not forget to check out other keerai varieties & healthy Keerai Recipes here. Please check out the video for for both English & Tamil Recipe

Here’s how to make Manathakkali Keerai Thanni with step by step photos…

Vallarai Keerai Thuvaiyal Recipe/Brahmi Leaves Thuvaiyal/Indian Pennywort Thuvaiyal/Vallarai Keerai Recipe with Benefits/Vallarai Keerai Thuvaiyal with step by step photos

Vallarai is known for its brain boosting abilities and to cure many diseases in Ayurveda and Siddha treatment since the ancient period. Vallarai is used to revitalize the brain and nervous system, increase attention and concentration, and combat aging. The extract from Vallarai is used in treating memory enhancement and neurodegenerative disorders. Vallarai has amazing medicinal properties which help in fighting many diseases. It plays a vital role in treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and brain related problems like insomnia.

Vallarai has wonderful properties, which helps in curing skin problems like eczema, leprosy, psoriasis and ulcers. Vallarai helps in relaxing muscles and alleviates menstrual pain and disorders. It promotes youthful vitality and longevity and prevents early greying of hair. Hair fall and premature greying of hair can be controlled by using vallarai oil which is readily available in Ayurveda shops.

Vallarai acts as a great cure for joint pain or inflammation, rheumatism, arthritis etc. Not just the above mentioned benefits, vallarai has many other medicinal values and properties and the list goes on. The above information is collected from various websites like Wikipedia, ayurvedictalk.com etc. For people who live outside India can buy the vallarai tablets from Ayurveda shops when you visit Chennai and consume it. For now I am going to share Vallarai Thuvaiyal, do try it out friends and enjoy the benefits of Vallarai. Meanwhile friends, do not forget to check out other chuteny/thuvaiyal varieties here.

Here’s how to make Vallarai Keerai Thuvaiyal with step by step photos….

Paruppu Keerai Chapathi/Chapathi with Dal & Greens/Keerai Chapathi Recipe/Paruppu Keerai Chapathi with step by step photos

Today I am going to share a very interesting chapathi made with dal and greens. The choice of greens is totally your’s, I have used araikeerai to make this chapathi. I always come across one problem when packing lunch, my husband and elder daughter prefer to have rice for lunch and my little one always will prefer to have chapathis or rotis etc. Whenever I make paruppu keerai masiyal or any other green varieties my little daughter never has it during lunch, and I used to feel very bad about it. But then whenever I make paruppu keerai during weekdays for lunch, I blend the prepared keerai and make chapathis for her. But for my husband and elder daughter I make rice, mix this dal and prepare some vegetables and pack the lunch. I think lot of moms must be coming across this kind of problem when packing lunch for your whole family, but when you go by my idea you will feel happy and satisfied. One best part of it is your kid will eat all the chapathis and she/he will get the greens also. Meanwhile friends, do not forget to check out other interesting and delicious breakfast varieties here.

Here’s how to make Dal & Keerai chapathi with step by step photos…

Thoothuvalai Keerai Rasam/Thuthuvalai Keerai Rasam/Thoothuvalai Keerai Rasam Recipe with step by step photos

The scientific name of Thoothuvalai Keerai is Solanum Trilobatum. Thoothuvalai keerai has lots of health benefits and is commonly used for treating cold, cough, throat infections and acute asthma. Thoothuvalai leaves can be used for preparing thoothuvalai chutney, thuvaiyal, dosai, candy etc. Thoothuvalai keerai can be roasted in ghee, powdered and added to hot steaming rice for respiratory problems and as sinus cure. For now I am going to share Thoothuvalai Keerai Rasam, do try it out and post your comments. Please check out other interesting “RASAM VARIETIES” here.

Here’s how to make Thoothuvalai Keerai Rasam with step by step photos…

Ponnanganni Keerai Poriyal Recipe– Simple & Healthy Keerai Poriyal/Ponnanganni Keerai Poriyal with step by step photos/How to make Ponnanganni Keerai

Ponnanganni Keerai is called as “Dwarf Copperleaf” in English, is a green variety available throughout the year. The name “Ponnanganni” means glow like gold. It is loaded with iron, calcium and other vital nutrients that make our hair and skin glow. When Ponnanganni is taken for a period of 48 days regularly, it heals our body of all kinds of deficiency and reduces the body heat, as it is an excellent body coolant. Ponnanganni is specifically recommended for eye ailments, asthma, gonorrhoea, syphilis. Most of them avoid these types of greens, because they do not know how to cook them or to use them. A very simple ponnanganni keerai poriyal/stir fry included twice or thrice a week in our diet is a wonderful remedy to stay healthy. Ponnanganni oil/thailam is very famous in Tamil Nadu and is used for treating headaches and also for treating excessive body heat during the summer months. For now friends I am going to share this Ponnanganni Keerai poriyal, do try it for sure and post your comments. Meanwhile do check out other Keerai Recipes here.

Here’s how to make Ponnanganni Keerai Poriyal with step by step photos…

Gongura Chutney Recipe/Pulicha Keerai Thuvaiyal Recipe/Gongura Chutney Recipe with step by step photos/Pulicha Keerai Recipe

Gongura/Pulicha Keerai/Sorrel leaves chutney/pachhadi is a very popular Andhra cuisine found in all most all the homes, hotels, restaurants,  food joints etc in AndhraPradesh. Gongura leaves is called as Pulicha keerai in Tamil. It is loaded with iron, vitamins, folic acid and anti-oxidants. Gongura comes in two different varieties, green and red stemmed.  The red stemmed variety is sourer than the green stemmed variety. This thuvaiyal is a perfect blend of sour leaf with dry red chillies, dhania, fenugreek seeds and garlic. Try out this delectable Gongura chutney and post your feedback. Check out other interesting chutney & thogaiyal varieties here.

Here’s how to make Gongura Chutney/thuvaiyal with step by step photos…

Spinach Kofta Curry/Palak Kofta Curry- Healthy Microwave Spinach/Palak Kofta Curry with step by step photos

Today I am going to share a very healthy version of Spinach/Palak Kofta curry. The koftas are not fried in oil; rather they are cooked in microwave which reduces the calorie content. As the koftas are made in microwave, they retain the colour and also taste great. I came across this delicious and creamy recipe in Nisha Madhulikas, but I made some variations in the gravy and it was a big hit in my family. Feed your family with this healthy spinach kofta without any guilt. Do try out this kofta gravy and post your comments.

Here’s how to make Spinach Kofta Curry with step by step photos…

Karuvepilai Podi/Curry Leaves Powder/How to make Karuvepillai Podi/Karuvepillai Podi

Karuvepillai podi/curry leaves powder is a boon to lot of bachelors living abroad and in hostels. I would say not just bachelors, when we are in no mood to cook and if we have karuvepillai podi handy, we can just pressure cook some white rice and enjoy the meals with chips or pappad. Karuvepillai podi, is available in most of the shops, but nothing can beat the fresh, homemade aromatic powder. Though I have shared the benefits of curry leaves several times earlier, I cannot stop myself from writing about it again. It is a nature’s gift to us right in our back yard, loaded with iron, calcium and vitamin A. Regular intake of curry leaves helps in preventing hair fall and greying of hair, not only that it also helps in the growth of healthy and beautiful hair. I think for now I will stop with this and let you know about another interesting recipe, I have shared earlier -  this instant  "Bachelor's Karuvepillai Kuzhambu” with this karuvepillai podi/curry leaves powder, which actually is a short cut and can be made in no time. I have also shared the regular karuvepillai kuzhambu where the curry leaves are ground freshly; do check it out in the corresponding links. I think it’s time now, I move on to the recipe. Do try out this karuvepillai podi friends and have a great day.  Do check out other South Indian Kuzhambu varieties here.

Here’s how to make Curry leaves Powder/Karuvepillai Podi with step by step photos…

Murungai Keerai Muttai Poriyal Recipe/Drumstick leaves with Eggs Poriyal/Murungai Keerai Poriyal With Eggs

This Murungai Keerai Muttai Poriyal is my childhood favourite, which my mom prepares very often at home. We have our own Murugai keerai tree at home, so my mom comes up with different types of murungai keerai recipes. I had gone to my mom’s house two days back, got lots of murungai keerai and prepared this keerai muttai poriyal. Do try this simple, healthy and delicious keerai muttai poriyal and enjoy your meal.

Here is my mom’s Murungai Keerai Poriyal with step by step photos….

Mint Rasam/Pudhina Rasam/Mint Rasam Recipe/How to make easy Mint Rasam with step by step photos

Rasam plays a vital role in South Indian cooking especially in Tamil Nadu. In all our homes one kuzhambu, one vegetable and one rasam is must in everyday cooking. But we do make different kinds of rasam, with each one having a unique taste and flavour. This mint rasam is really unique has extraordinary flavour and tingles your taste buds. Do check out other rasam varieties here.

Here’s how to make Mint Rasam with step by step photos…

Spinach & Sundried Tomatoes Pasta/Spinach & Sundried Tomates Pasta Recipe with step by step photos

I love to eat pasta, but I am not a cheese person. So most of the times, I try to avoid as much cheese as possible, but my kids love cheese to the core. Today I made creamy, healthy, tangy and flavorful pasta without adding cheese, it was really a winner. The addition of milk made it creamy, the addition of spinach made it healthy, addition of sun dried tomatoes gave some tanginess and the rest of all the ingredients gave a boost to the whole dish. Do check out other delectable pasta varieties here...

Here’s how to make Spinach Pasta with sun dried tomatoes with step by step photos…

Dill Leaves Vadai Recipe/Dill leaves Kadalai Paruppu Vadai/Dill Leaves Paruppu Vadai Recipe/Dill Leaves Vadai with Channa Dal

Dill leaves vadai is a very aromatic, delicate tasting and flavourful vada. Before going into the recipe I would like to share a few things about Dill leaves. Dill is native to Mediterranean and East European regions. Dill leaves are feathery, fern like and dark green in colour. Fresh and dried dill leaves are widely used as herbs in Russia, Germany, Greece, Poland, Norway and many other countries. In India dill is known as shepu in Marathi, savaa in Hindi, soa in Punjabi, sadhakuppu in Tamil, soa-kura in Telugu, sabbasige soppu in Kannada and chathakuppa in Malayalam. Dill is a unique plant, because both its leaves and seeds are used as seasoning. It is rich in vitamin A, C, B6, folates, riboflavin, calcium, iron and other important minerals. Dill has an essential oil called Eugenol, which has been in therapeutic use as local anaesthetic and antiseptic. Eugenol also has been found to reduce sugar levels in diabetics. Dill seeds have been used in traditional medicines for digestion, as disinfectant, for more milk production in nursing mothers and to cure neurological symptoms like headaches and neural instability. [Information collected from various websites including Wikipedia]. Do check out other Vadai Varieties here and other interesting Starters/EveningSnacks/Appetizers here.

Here’s how to make Dill leaves Vadai with step by step photos…