Keerai Thoran | Keerai Poriyal

Keerai Thoran is a stir fry using Keerai (Spinach) and further enhanced with spicy coconut masala powder. In the traditional Thoran (Thuvaran) we usually don’t add onion or garlic, but you can add it as per your taste to enhance the taste. This is generally served as an accompaniment to rice and Kuzhambu/Rasam. Keerai is very healthy greens. I would recommend to consume Keerai (Spinach) atleast twice a week. Keerai can be cooked in many different ways and one such recipe is Keerai Thoran

You can use any types of greens to make Keerai Thoran. In this recipe I have used Amaranth Leaves (Thandu Keerai) to make this recipe

Health Benefits of Keerai

Keerai (Spinach) is one of the healithest food which is available in abudent in the cheaper price. Spinach is an excellent source of vitamins C and A, and iron, and contains about 40 percent potassium. It leaves an alkaline ash in the body. Spinach is good for the lymphatic, urinary, and digestive systems.Spinach has a laxative effect and is wonderful in weight-loss diets. It has a high calcium content, but also contains oxalic acid. This acid combines with calcium to form a compound that the body cannot absorb. For this reason, the calcium in spinach is considered unavailable as a nutrient.

Other Recipes you may want to try using Spinach (Keerai)

Paruppu Keerai Masiyal – A Stew made using Spinach and Dal
Keerai Kuzhambu – Kuzhambu made using Keerai and spicy masala
Molagootal – A popular palakkad dish made using Keerai

Recipe Card to make Keerai Thoran

Keerai Poriyal / Keerai Thuvaran / Keerai Thoran

Keerai Poriyal / Keerai Thoran is a Kerala cusine where wee add spicy coconut dry masala to the cooked Keerai. The coconut jeera powder gives very nice flavor and taste to the Keerai. It's very healthy and this can be made quickly

250 grams Spinach (Keerai) (any type of keerai, i have used Amaranth Leaves (Thandu Keerai))
1 pinch Turmeric Powder
½ tsp Salt (adjust to your taste)

For Grinding

1 nos Red Chili
3 tbsp Grated Coconut
1 tsp Cumin Seeds

For Tempering

1 tsp Cooking Oil
1 nos Red Chili
1 tsp Mustard seeds
1 tsp Split Urad Dal

Preparation

Finely chop the spinach and clean it thoroughly. Strain in a strainer to avoid excess water
Grind the grated coconut along with cumin seeds and red chilli in a mixer without adding any water

Let's start preparing Keerai Thoran

Heat the pan, add oil and once the oil becomes hot, add the mustard seeds and when the mustard seeds start to sputter add urdhal and fry it till the dhal becomes golden brown color.
Add the broken red chilli and strained spinach and add turmeric powder and salt cook it till it becomes soft
Add the ground grated coconut to the keerai and mix well. Stir-fry for a minute and then remove from flame.
The yummy Keerai Poriyal(Spinach Poriyal)/Keerai Thuvaran is ready to Serve

Method with step by step pictures to make Keerai Thoran :

Finely chop the spinach and clean it thoroughly. Strain in a strainer to avoid excess water

Heat the pan, add oil and once the oil becomes hot, add the mustard seeds and when the mustard seeds start to sputter add urdhal and fry it till the dhal becomes golden brown color. Add the broken red chilli and strained spinach and add turmeric powder and salt cook it till it becomes soft