Cheera Thoren (Amaranthus Thoren)

Today I am putting up the recipe for Cheera thoren. I planted some seeds of red cheera in my garden but when they started growing I got a mixture of green and red leaves infact it was neither red nor green, but I am happy as this is one of the tastiest cheera I have got. Cheera is very healthy as it is very rich in vitamins and minerals (http://www.tropilab.com/amaranth.html).



Ingredients:-
1. Cheera green or red - 1 bunch
2. Shallots sliced thin - 1/2 cup
3. Mustard seeds - 1 tsp.
4. Curry leaves - 1 sprig
5. Green or red chillies chopped- 3
6. Grated coconut - 3/4 cup
7. Cumin seeds - 1 tsp.
8. Salt as per taste
9. Chopped garlic - 2 cloves
10.Turmeric powder -1/2 tsp.
11.Oil - 1 tblsp.

Method:-
* Grind the coconut, turmeric powder, green chillies and cumin seeds into a coarse paste and keep it aside.
* Wash the cheera thoroughly as the leaves might contain mud or sand and then chop it fine.
* In a heavy bottomed pan heat the oil and splutter the mustard seeds. Fry the onions and curry leaves in it.
* Add the chopped cheera and garlic to it and let it cook on slow fire until it is dry. Add the ground coconut masala and salt and mix thoroughly. Cook it for a few more minutes and remove it from fire.
* Serve it with cooked rice.