714. Callaloo Fried Rice (Amaranth Fried Rice)

Healthy Greens

“I believe that the only true religion consists of having a good heart”. By Dalai Lama

A friend sent me this on WhatsApp and it got me thinking.  All religions basically want you to be good, forgiving, compassionate, loving, humble. If one follows some of this principals then that equates to a good heart. However, in reality we all are human beings and falter somewhere or the other. We all want to be the best or good. Achieving this goodness is difficult. It does not come to you automatically. One has to really work hard at it, be mindful and practice being good. Yes, practice. Practice not to do harmful things. Practice not to say hurtful words. Practice not to get angry. Practice not to hurt someone’s feeling. Practice not to be disrespectful to another human being. Practice to care for someone. If one is able to keep these principals in mind and practice it everyday step by step, the heart feels good, content. Automatically you feel good about yourself and in turn you feel happy, smile more often and learn to see good in everyone. I’m hoping that I’m able to keep this in mind and practice being a better person.

Its Monday again and that means a new recipe for the FoodieMonday/ Bloghop group. Our #113th theme is Leafy Greens chosen by Aruna who blogs at Aaharam. She has a variety of recipes but what interests me the most are her Andhra Pradesh cuisine recipes.

Leafy greens any vegetables with edible leaves. Right from different lettuces, spring onions, spinach, herbs etc. Leafy Greens play an important part in the Indian Cuisine. We add them to dals, make sabjis, make gravies, add them to parathas, to rice, to other grains etc. The best time to enjoy the leafy greens are during the monsoon and winter seasons when they are fresh and crispy.

Some of you may have noticed that last week I blogged 3 recipes from the Caribbean region. One of the dishes that attracted me was callaloo, initially it was the name itself that attracted me. I had no idea what it was. On doing some research got to know that its amaranth or taro leaves and its made by adding some chillis, onion, tomato, thyme and a few spices. Its a popular dish in Jamaica and other Caribbean islands. Sometimes called spinach. greens or bhaaji by the Caribbeans.

The day the theme was decided, the lady who brings vegetables to our door, brought a whole basketful of fresh amaranth. So I knew I was going to use that for my theme. Amaranth, terere, chicha, tandariyo as its also called in my part of the world is  full of antioxidants, rich in iron, protein, minerals like calcium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, full of vitamins, high in dietary fiber and provide energy.

Instead of just making the callaloo or bhaaji, I made a wholesome meal by making callaloo fried rice. I used up some left over rice and added some vegetables along with loads of callaloo or amaranth. Enjoy this healthy and delicious rice dish with some yogurt or kadhi.

CALLALOO FRIED RICE (Amaranth Fried Rice)
Serves 4-6

3 cups cooked plain rice
½ cup finely chopped French beans
½ cup frozen or boiled peas
4 cups of finely chopped amaranth leaves (callaloo)
¾ cup finely chopped onion
1 tbsp garlic paste
1 scotch bonnet or a hot chili of your choice, finely chopped
1 tbsp oil
½ tsp cumin seeds (jeera)
1 tsp paprika
¼ tsp turmeric powder (haldi)
1 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp salt
½ tsp pepper powder
¼ tsp nutmeg powder
¼ tsp cardamom powder
¼ tsp clove powder
¼ tsp cinnamon powder

1. Mix the dry spice powders together in a small bowl.
2. Heat oil in a wide pan over medium heat.
3. Add cumin seeds. When it begins to sizzle, add onion and stir fry till it becomes a bit soft.
4. Add garlic paste and the chopped chilis.
5. Add chopped beans and thyme. Mix well.
6. Lower the heat, cover the pan and let the beans cook for 2-3 minutes.
7. Add the chopped amaranth. Mix, cover and let the amaranth cook for 3-4 minutes or till it wilts.
8. Add the peas, spice powder and salt. Mix well.
9. Add the cooked rice and mix gently.
10. Let it become a bit hot over low heat.
11. Serve with some yogurt or kadhi.

moora ni bhaji (radish leaves sabji)

spinach rice

spinach zucchini soup

savaa ni bhaji (dill and lentils)

arvi  paan bhajia

chicha with red beans (amaranth and kidney  beans)

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