Regarding South Indian cuisine, simple yet flavorful stir-fries, known as poriyal, hold a special place. Traditionally made with vegetables like beans, cabbage, or spinach, poriyal is a staple in Tamil Nadu households. Today, we’re giving this classic dish a nutritious twist by using Swiss chard, a vibrant leafy green packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
I love enjoying veggies in the form of poriyals. It is a very nourishing way to enjoy the natural taste of vegetables, cooked with minimal ingredients. The fresh coconut adds a deliciously nutty flavor to the poriyal recipe. This recipe is also famously known as keerai poriyal. Keerai in Tamil means green leafy vegetables
You can enjoy this poriyal with roti or rice. The leftovers taste great for morning breakfast wraps.
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Why Swiss Chard?
Swiss chard is a powerhouse of nutrients. It is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, along with iron, magnesium, and fiber. Its slightly earthy taste pairs beautifully with South Indian spices, making it a fantastic choice for a healthy and flavorful poriyal.
Health Benefits of Swiss Chard Poriyal:
- Boosts immunity with its high vitamin C content.
- Supports bone health due to its rich calcium and vitamin K levels.
- Aids digestion with fiber and antioxidants.
- Regulates blood sugar due to its magnesium and fiber content.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This recipe is:
- Naturally vegan and gluten-free
- Gets ready in 15 minutes
- Great way to add veggies and leafy greens to your diet!
Ingredients To Make This Keerai Poriyal
Swiss Chard - Use organic, good-quality Swiss chard to make this recipe. You can also use spinach or kale.
Oil - Use coconut oil or any other neutral-flavored oil to make this recipe.
Tempering Spices and Herbs - We will use mustard seeds, chana dal (split chickpea lentils), green chili, dried red chilies, and curry leaves
Aromatics - Add finely chopped onions and thinly sliced garlic to make this recipe.
Spices - We will be using turmeric and salt to season this Swiss chard poriyal recipe.
Fresh/ Frozen Grated Coconut - Add fresh or frozen grated coconut in the end, to add a beautifully nutty flavor to the poriyal recipe.
Step-By-Step Recipe To Make Swiss Chard Poriyal Recipe
Prepare the Swiss Chard: Wash the Swiss chard thoroughly and separate the stems from the leaves. Chop the stems finely and cut the leaves into small pieces.
Heat the Oil: In a pan, heat coconut oil over medium heat. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter.
Add the Aromatics: Add chana dal, dried red chilies, and curry leaves. Sauté until the dal turns golden brown.
Sauté the Onions & Garlic: Add chopped onions and garlic, until the onions turn soft and translucent.
Cook the Swiss Chard Stems: Add the chopped chard stems first, as they take longer to cook. Stir-fry for 2–3 minutes.
Add the Leaves & Spices: Add the Swiss chard leaves, turmeric powder, and salt. Stir well and cook for about 5 minutes until the leaves wilt and become tender.
Finish with Coconut: Sprinkle grated coconut over the poriyal, mix well, and turn off the heat.
Serve Warm: Enjoy Swiss Chard Poriyal as a side dish with steamed rice and sambar or rasam.
Expert Tips To Make This Poriyal
- For a nuttier flavor, add a handful of roasted peanuts or cashews.
- To enhance protein content, mix in some cooked moong dal or chana dal.
- For extra zest, squeeze a few drops of lemon juice before serving.
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Swiss Chard Poriyal
These nutrional values are automatically generated. Use them for estimation only.
Ingredients
- 1 Bunch Swiss Chard about 3-4 cups of chopped swiss chard
- 1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil Or any neutral flavored oil
- 1 Teaspoon Mustard Seeds
- 1 Teaspoon Chana Dal split chickpeas
- 6-7 Curry Leaves
- ⅓ Cup Onions Finely Chopped
- 3 Cloves Garlic Sliced/ Finely Chopped
- ¼ Teaspoon Turmeric
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- 3 Tablespoons Grated Coconut Fresh/ Frozen
Instructions
- Wash the Swiss chard thoroughly and separate the stems from the leaves. Chop the stems finely and cut the leaves into small pieces.
- In a pan, heat coconut oil over medium heat. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter.
- Add chana dal, slit green chili, dried red chilies, and curry leaves. Sauté until the dal turns golden brown.
- Add chopped onions and garlic. Sauté until the onions turn soft and translucent.
- Add the chopped chard stems first, as they take longer to cook. Stir-fry for 2–3 minutes.
- Add the Swiss chard leaves, turmeric powder, and salt. Stir well and cook for about 5 minutes until the leaves wilt and become tender.
- Sprinkle grated coconut over the poriyal, mix well, and turn off the heat.
- Enjoy Swiss Chard Poriyal as a side dish with steamed rice and sambar or rasam.
Notes
- For a nuttier flavor, add a handful of roasted peanuts or cashews.
- To enhance protein content, mix in some cooked moong dal or chana dal.
- For extra zest, squeeze a few drops of lemon juice before serving.
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