Thotakura Vepudu Recipe – Andhra Style Amaranth Greens Stir Fry

Amaranth Greens are known as thotakura in Telugu. Amaranth are known as one of the superfoods having rich content of proteins, anti-oxidants and dietary fibre. The fresh greens when included regularly in our diets, will keep the insulin levels under control. Course : Lunch Ingridients : 4 cups Green Amaranth Leaves , tightly packed 10 cloves Garlic 4 Green Chillies 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric powder (Haldi) 1 tablespoon Sesame seeds (Til seeds) , dry roasted and powdered 2 Dry Red Chillies 1/2 teaspoon Mustard seeds (Rai/ Kadugu) 1/2 teaspoon Cumin seeds (Jeera) 1/2 teaspoon White Urad Dal (Split) 1 sprig Curry leaves Instructions To begin making the Thotakura Vepudu Recipe, clean, wash and roughly chop the amaranth leaves. Keep aside.Dry roast the sesame seeds on medium heat, powder it using a mixer grinder and keep aside.Now, heat oil in a heavy bottomed pan, add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, urad dal and let it crackle.Add the dried red chillies, curry leaves and let it splutter.Roughly pound the garlic cloves and green chillies using a pestle and mortar and add it to the pan. Saute for a minute till the garlic turn light brown.Add the turmeric powder, chopped amaranth greens and mix well. Wait for the greens to wilt.Season with salt and let the green completely dry out. This will take around 5 minutes.Turn off the heat, sprinkle the sesame powder on top and mix well.Serve the Thotakura Vepudu Recipe along with Phulka/Steamed Rice, Palak Pappu and Avakaya Pickle for a delicious Andhra Style weeknight dinner.