Keerai Masiyal with Rice (Mashed Spinach Rice)

Name: Keerai Masiyal with Rice
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 min
Total time: 11 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Indian (Tamilnadu)
Ingredients: 4 large bunches fresh spinach (palak or arai keerai / amaranth greens), cleaned — about 500 g; ¼ cup moong dal (pasi paruppu), washed; 4 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed; 2 green chillies; ¼ tsp turmeric powder; ¾ tsp salt; 2 cups cooked rice (for mixing); 2 tsp sesame oil (for mixing); 2 tsp sesame oil; 1 tsp mustard seeds; ½ tsp urad dal; 1 dried red chilli; 1 sprig curry leaves; ¼ tsp asafoetida; Amaranth greens (arai keerai) give a richer, more substantial masiyal than palak — use if available.; The garlic and green chillies are cooked with the dal and greens (not just as tempering) — this infuses garlic flavour throughout the masiyal.; More moong dal makes it heartier; less makes it lighter — adjust to preference.

🌱 Vegan🌾 Gluten-free📊 Easy

Freshly cooked spinach or arai keerai mashed with garlic, moong dal, and a simple seasoning — served mixed into plain rice with sesame oil. A light, iron-rich complete meal beloved by Tamil grandmothers for children and elders.

⏱️10 minPrep

🔥1 minCook

🕒11 minTotal

🍽️4Serves

🧺 Ingredients

👩‍🍳 How to make Keerai Masiyal with Rice

Mash the contents (no heat): Open the cooker. Using a potato masher or the back of a ladle, mash everything together thoroughly — the greens, dal, garlic, and chillies should all be uniformly mashed into a thick, dark green paste. No large pieces should remain. Add salt and adjust.
Temper (high heat): Heat sesame oil in a small ladle. Add mustard seeds — crackle. Add urad dal (golden). Add red chilli, curry leaves, and asafoetida (15 seconds). Pour over the mashed keerai masiyal.
Mix into rice: On a plate, portion hot cooked rice. Add 3–4 generous tablespoons of keerai masiyal. Drizzle 2 tsp sesame oil. Mix thoroughly by hand. Taste and adjust.
Serve immediately: Best eaten hot. Serve with a side of papad, pickle, or raw onion.

📖 Cultural notes

|---|---|---|---|---| | 290 kcal | 10 g | 48 g | 6 g | 5 g | Keerai Masiyal Sadam is the go-to remedy-meal in Tamil households — made specifically for sick family members (easy to digest, high in iron and vitamins), for young children being introduced to solid foods, and for elders with dental difficulties. The simplicity of the dish — greens mashed with dal and sesame oil — connects to the Tamil concept of wholesome, sattvic eating. In Tirunelveli district, this is eaten every Thursday as part of a traditional weekly vegetarian practice. ---

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