Thotakura Vepudu - Amaranth Leaves Stir-Fry
Greens hold a special place in my kitchen, though I have a tough time getting Nehal overcome his aversion to eating greens. What I usually do is camoflauge a greens stir fry dish with some grated cheese and tomato sauce and prepare a sandwich for him.:) Satish and I are fond of most greens and usually prepare them on a daily basis, especially in combination with tur dal (red gram lentil).
This summer the rythu bazaars in Vizag are loaded with fresh amaranth and red sorrel leaves (gongura). Each morning we wake up to the call of the vegetable vendor shouting “aakuralu” (green vegetables), selling fresh greens like coriander leaves, mint, red sorrel, spinach, amaranth and methi leaves.
Today, I’m sharing a simple stir fry of amaranth leaves. Its tastes great with white rice, we had it along with a lentil stew pappu pulusu and perugu (curd).
Thotakura Vepudu Recipe
Prep & Cooking: 30 mts
Serves: 3-4
Cuisine: Andhra
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6 big bunches fresh amaranth leaves (picked, discard thick stalks, use tender stalks)
1 big onion, finely chopped
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
4 dry red chillis de-seeded
5-6 garlic flakes, crushed
1 sprig curry leaves
2 green chilies, slit length wise
big pinch turmeric pwd
salt to taste
1/2 tbsp olive oil
1 Boil the amaranth leaves and tender stalks in just enough water (about a cup of water) for 10-12 mts, such that the water is almost absorbed.
2 Heat oil, add the mustard seeds and once they splutter, add the cumin seeds, garlic flakes, red chillis, curry leaves and green chillis and saute for half a minute.
3 Add the onions and saute till transparent. Add salt and turmeric pwd and saute further for a minute.
4 Add the boiled leaves and saute uncovered for 15-20 mts or till done. Serve hot with rice.
Note:
Use any left over water to prepare roti dough.
My entry to JFI-WBB - Green Leafy Vegetables hosted by creator of Jihva, the lovely Indira of Mahanandi.
By sailu • May 1st, 2007 • Category: All Recipes, Andhra Recipes, Greens-Leafy Vegetables, Stir Fries, Vegetarian Recipes
That veggie vendor with his greens is such a delighful picture. I also like this recipe we usually saute with dry red chillies and garlic, not much of other spices
Hi Sailu, Chala baga undi! the pics are so nice and vibrant. I liked the way the vendor sells it.
will make it this way next time.
HI sailu
adding ginger also gives a good taste to this curry.
Very tempting, Sailu. I love greens a lot, but haven’t ever found thotkura here…..except a cpl. of times as frozen leaves. But i am sure your recipe will be equally delightful with other greens as well. I guess, i ‘ll try it with palak or chard. Its so nice to read boaut the rythu bazaars…..and those bhaji wallahs…..really, there’s no substitute for fresh produce. its so nostalgic…..
wow
simply luv those shots
i do it exactly the same except that garlic
replace it with ginger
beautifull pictures Sailu, Nice recipe too!
Hi Sailu,
Very healthy and easy recipe. Thanks for sharing.
wow …pics are great and nice recipe .will surely try this out .visitng you for the first time …thks for sharing
Sailu, I can’t tell you how much I miss those fresh veggies here. I used to buy fresh greens whenever I wanted from the veggie vendor when I was in Bangalore. Here I stock up everything and I must say the vegetables loose their freshness and taste by doing so.
btw…I tried your amaranth with daal recipe and it tasted great. We make something similar but as usual, we add a coconut masala to it. Loved your version.
Sailu,long back i came here when i was searching for a recipe of beerakaya and from then i have no i dea how many times i have been here to take a recipe,and thanks to all of you great food bloggers that now i started one myself:)
I never liked thotakoora but when my hemoglobin dropped to 8% i realised the imp of fresh green thotakoora which worked like a magic when i had it regularly for 3months,and i still take it once a week:)
Hi Sailu,
I am frequent visitor to your blog, and love your recipes and photos. But to my surprise, I saw some of your photos in this site, and was wondering I saw them before, and matched them to your site. just have a look …
http://saitelugumovies.com/OnlineCatering.aspx
Sorry, for not mentioning my name, friend.
Thanks for informing me.
Hi Shailu,
I just love green vegetables.Not only they are healthy but very tasty too..Lovely.Where did you get these? i have never seen these i feel..Lovely, gonna hunt for these for sure…Thanks for sharing
Soumya, I live in Vizag, A.P and its available in plenty.:)
Hey Sailu, I have blogged about ‘Mexican Paneer Wraps’ here, http://foodcourt.wordpress.com/2007/05/03/309/ at My Foodcourt and I have used your Salsa and sour cream recipe.
Thanks again.
Hello!
I am thinking of starting a new portal to host simple and easy-to-prepare recipes. This is mainly for bachelors/bachelorettes who may not have the time and the necessary utensils to prepare anything elaborate.
Please do contribute. For more details, I have made a post on this at:
http://cookingandme.blogspot.com/2007/05/portal-for-simple-cooking.html
Err.. does this comment look like spam? :O It really is not! Also, tell me what you think about the idea and better ideas of how I can go about this, if any.
The clarity in yr pics says that you use an SLR. What model is yr camera?
Suganya, I use a digi cam, Sony DSC-W7
Superb photos! I love greens, and the recipe sounds exciting. keep up the good work.
A lovely simple healthy recipe.. and the pictures are just perfect
Hi..
regular vistior to ur wonderful blog..u r one lucky person to enjoy that nice mornings in India…Me staying far away in USA feel sad to the same dull mornings n nights with out any colorful life..hope i will getup one day to that morning Call akukuralu….i will try ur recipe, thanks
Wonderful to see the traditional cultures. It is quite similar in Turkey. We have street vendors, who sell fruits and vegetables and when I’m abroad, I miss them!
i love all kind vegetables, this will great accompanion for steam rice
Its lovely…Beautiful pic…It is an healthy recipe..
Sailu,
I have tried a few of your recipes and they have all been a hit! I have just started a blog(general, nothing related to cooking), and linked to your page… Hope it’s ok. Else do let me know.
Thanks.
-Divya
Hey Sailu,
I tried the same recipe but the thing is when i boiled the leaves they became more like a paste. I like the way my mom makes where the leaves are cooked but stays intact the way we cut it. I think it would be better without boiling the leaves. The taste is definitely wonderful though….just as an add on.
Thanks
Lavanya
The tender leaves need less boiling than the more mature leaves, Lavanya. You can even make this stir fry without boiling the leaves.