KEERAI KOOTU – KOOTU RECIPE

March 6, 2025 | By
keerai kootu

Keerai kootu is our family favourite kootu recipe. We make it at least once in a week.I make it for my husband’s lunch box paired with vatha kuzhambu/ puli kuzhambu.It tastes great.I learnt this recipe from my MIL. I’ll post my mom’s version soon..Usually vengaya vadagam is used for seasoning this kootu. I love that combination very much . But my husband hates it.. So I saute the small onions till dark brown ( as u see in picture) & season this kootu.It tastes equivalent to vadagam..My husband likes to have this kootu mixed with plain rice & ghee.. Try this healthy accompaniment for lunch & enjoy . We follow the same procedure and make kootu with mulai keerai , siru keerai  etc..

Keerai kootu bowl
INGREDIENTS
1 cup – 250ml
  • Amaranthus/arai keerai – 2 small bunch OR 2 cups
  • Moong dal – 2 tbsp
  • Turmeric powder – 1/8 tsp
  • Sambar powder – 1 tsp
  • salt & water – As needed

To grind

  • Grated coconut – 1/4 cup
  • Rice flour –1  tsp

To temper

  • Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp
  • Urad dal – 1 tsp
  • Fenugreek seeds – 1/4 tsp
  • Cumin seeds / jeera – 1/2 tsp
  • Small onion – 5 nos or Big onion – 1/2 no 
OR
  • Vengaya vadagam – 1.5 tbsp or 1 no
METHOD
  • Wash & chop the keerai finely. In a pressure cooker base , take the chopped keerai , moong dal  , sambar powder , salt and water. Cook it for 1 –2 whistle in low flame. Grind the coconut with rice flour adding little water to make a smooth paste.Set aside.

keerai kootu tile1

  • After the steam is released from the cooker , mash the mixture well till moong dal becomes mushy..Now add the coconut paste ,mix well and allow it to boil till kootu becomes semi thick in consistency..
  • In a kadai , temper all the ingredients given under” to temper” in the same order. Saute till onion turns dark golden brown with a nice smell..Add to the kootu ..

Mix with plain rice & ghee  or enjoy as an accompaniment!
NOTE
  • My mil cooks the keerai  & dal separately and mix them .But  i pressure cook everything together. But make sure dal should be mushy.
  • This kootu can be made with mulai keerai / thandu keerai and siru keerai ..
  • Adding vengaya vadagam for seasoning gives a great taste. Do try if u have in hand..But u should saute it till dark brown in low flame and add to kootu..

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26 thoughts on “KEERAI KOOTU – KOOTU RECIPE”

  2. AparnaRajeshkumar

    it tempting us to take immediately ! good capture ! we generally add jeera and green chilly while grinding the coconut ! :)

    Reply
  19. dewdrops

    Dear Chitra
    Tried this kootu recipe using arakeerai. Since I had a big bunch I doubled he quantity of ingredients. The taste was excellent. The best keerai kootu in recent times. Thanks a lot.
    Keerthi

    Reply
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