Horse gram and kozhuppan cheera sabzi

Kozhuppan cheera, Talinum fruticosum, Spinach cheera, Ceylon Spinach or sambar cheera, also known as water leaf, is a plant that is seen very commonly in Kerala and I have eaten its thoran with jackfruit seeds since childhood. 

I had brought one plant to Belgaum and it is a sturdy plant that grows easily.  It is a rich source of vitamins (Vitamin A and Vitamin E) and minerals (iron and calcium). It has some medicinal properties and antidiabetic property. 

The left over horse gram after making the rasam can be made into a sabzi with spinach cheera.

Ingredients

1 ½ cups cooked horse gram left after making the rasam

A big bunch of spinach cheera, cleaned, washed and cut

1 onion finely chopped

¼ tsp turmeric powder

¼ tsp red chilli powder

1 tsp coriander powder

¼ tsp garam masala powder

Salt to taste

1 tbsp oil

1/3 tsp mustard seeds

Instruction

-          Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds. When they splutter, add the cut onion. Stir and when the onion turns transparent, add the cut spinach cheera.

-          Keep stirring in between and when the leaves are cooked, which may take about 5 to 7 minutes, add all the masala powders and the cooked horse gram.

-          Check and adjust the salt (the horse gram was pressure cooked with salt). Mix well and remove from fire.

-          Serve with steamed rice and dal, or with chapatis