This is a very simple kootu and is packed with nutrients from spinach. I learnt it from my MIL and I fell in love with it immediately. Although I vary the ingredients for grinding off and on, this is by far the simplest and tastiest. This is also K’s favorite and hence it is on the menu often. One variation would be to use a couple of teaspoons of rasam powder instead of the masala. Another variation would be to grind the ingredients that I have mentioned in Avarakai Kootu instead of cumin, chilly and coconut. As I said kootu can be made in tons of ways. Is there a different method you like to share? Do let me know in the comments. Now off to the recipe.

Ingredients
5 cups chopped spinach
1/2 cup moong dal
1 tsp oil
1/2 tsp mustard
asafoetida
salt to taste

To grind
2 tsp coconut
2 tsp jeera
2 red chillies

Method
Cook the dal separately. Chop the spinach. I use a food processor.

Cook the spinach using a little water. Add asafoetida and salt.

Meanwhile grind the ingredients under “To grind”

The spinach is all cooked now.

Add the ground masala to the cooked spinach.

Let the mix boil for few minutes. Then add the cooked dal.

Mix well. Turn off the stove in 5 minutes. Do the tadka with mustard seeds and add to kootu.

Simple right. Healthy and tasty spinach kootu ready to be served with rice.

The first pic was updated on 4/22/2013.
Enjoy!