Date:08/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2007/09/08/stories/2007090852250400.htm

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Chef comments

Aakooralu charu (green leaves soup) is a clear winner for this week with its nice rich combination of iron from the greens with proteins from the dals.

A really healthy soup, which could be a cure for many ailments. My compliments to T.S. Bharathi for an excellent recipe.

Pradeep Khosla,

Executive chef, Taj Krishna

Aakooralu charu (Green leaves soup)

Serving for four to five people

Ingredients

Boiled tuar dal: 50gms

Onion, finely chopped: 1

Tomato, finely chopped: 1

Thoroughly washed and cut assorted green leaves

Each one bunch of any variety -five to six variety Pala koora (Palak) , Ponaganti kura, Thota kura, Koya kura, Bachchala kura, Menthi kura, Gangabayala kura, Chukka kura or any available green leaves. Avoid green leaves like Gongura, Erra thotakura, Soyi kura, etc. which may change the taste and colour.

Turmeric powder: 1/2 tsp

Asafoetida powder: little (to sprinkle on the top)

Salt to taste

For seasoning: 1tsp ghee, cumin seeds, red chillies and curry leaves

To grind

Grated coconut: 4 tbsp

Poppy seeds: 1 tbsp

Cumin: 1 tsp

Green chillies: 1or 2

Method

Take thick-bottomed kadai or cooker. Mash the boiled tuar dal into paste add 800 ml. water and bring it to boil. Add chopped onion, tomato, turmeric and asafoetida powder.

When onion and tomato becomes tender, add green leaves. Add ground paste and salt after green leaves are cooked and well mixed. Boil the charu for fifteen minutes in low flame and season it with ghee, cumin, red chillies and curry l eaves.

This charu is rich in fibre, highly nutritious, cool on our stomach, very good for patients, children and for all. It goes well with rice comprising side dish of spicy pickle/papad/any spicy vegetable curry. It can also be consumed as soup.

T.S. Bharathi

Kakaguda

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Recipe contest

Do you have a recipe that is original and innovative? Mail it to us and Chef Pradeep Khosla, Executive Chef, Taj Krishna, will pick the best. The winner will walk away with a gift from 24 Letter Mantra, the organic shop. E-mail to: hydphoto@thehindu.co.in on or before September 12, 2007 Wednesday noon. Your entry should have your address and contact number.