Thotakura Ava Pulusu - Amaranth Leaves

1 bunch Thotakura - Amaranth Leaves
4 - 5 Okra
Bedakaye, chopped into 1” pieces : Optional
2 Green Chilies
Few Curry Leaves
Tamarind juice
2 tsp Jaggery
2 tsp Ava Powder
2 tsp Sesame Powder

Grind mustard seeds to a fine powder. This is called ava powder.

Soak tamarind in hot water and make juice adding less water.

Chop thotakura finely and wash and drain. Cook in a pressure cooker with salt and turmeric and 2 cups water. Do not drain the water.

Take 2 tsp of oil in a sauce pan and make tadka (popu) with jeera, mustard seeds, few fenugreek seeds, hing and a red chili. Add chopped green chilies, curry leaves and fry for a few seconds. Okra can be added and fried for a few minutes.

Remove the red chili into a bowl and squish it, add 2 tsp of rice flour, 1 tsp of jaggery, 2 tsp ava powder, 2 tsp sesame powder. Using water mix them all nicely and keep aside.

Then add cooked thotakura, turmeric and 2 cups of water. Add tamarind juice and the previously made base and bring to a boil. Cook for a few minutes more, the liquid will start to thicken and oil will separate, then remove from flame.

Check for salt and seasonings, more jaggery or ava can be added according to taste.

A authentic Telugu recipe that tastes very good with hot rice. The tangy of the tamarind juice, sweet of jaggery, hot from the red chili gives this Liquid dish a unique taste.