Swiss Chard Thoran

Swiss chard otherwise known as chards is a close relative to beets which has big green leaves and red stems.Both the leaves and the central leaf ribs are consumed.It is rich source of vitamins and fiber.You can use it as an alternative for spinach(but it will give a bright red color.)

A bunch of SwissChard

Once I happened to buy it from Meijer ,and prepared Thoran with it.Then i noticed it tastes exactly like our Kerala Cheera(Red Spinach) thoran.And now its one of our favourite dish..infact we are not even missing the red cheera which we get in Kerala. You can find it in any grocery stores in vegetable section ,it’ll be kept near spinach.

Just try it and let me know how it is….

Ingredients:-

Chopped Swiss chard

1 bunch of Swiss Chard chopped finely
Grated Coconut – 1/2 cup
Chopped Garlic – 2 flakes
Chopped Green Chillies -2 or 3
Chopped Pearl Onion(Kunjulli) -4(You can also use onions ..eventhough Kunjulli tastes better)
Turmeric Powder -1/2 tsp
Mustard Seeds -1 tsp
Urad dal -1/2 tsp
Jeera -1/2 tsp
Curry leaves -1/2 tsp

Method:-

Mix together grated coconut,green chillies,turmeric powder,chopped onions & salt.Add chopped swiss chard into the mixture and mix well with hand.
Heat oil in a pan ,add mustard seeds to splutter.Then add Jeera,curry leaves and urad dal.When urad dal turns light brown add swiss chad into it and mix well.Simmer for 10 minutes.Cover it with lid and remember not to add water.But be sure to check in between ,otherwise it may stick to the bottom.Cooking without adding water is one way of healthy cooking.My amma used to cover the cooking pan with a plate or lid which contains some water.While cooking ,due to the moisture water droplets will form under the lid and will drip into the pan .This way you can prevent food from sticking to the bottom.Not only healthy,this type of cooking increases the taste tooo….:))You can use beetroot leaves also to cook this recipe.

Swiss Chard Thoran

P.S:-Instead of coconut powder i’ve used coconut flakes here.