Spicy And Tangy Methi / Fenugreek Leaves - Vendiya Keerai Thokku

          I am a big fan of Fenugreek Leaves/Methi/Vendiya Keerai, love its slight bitter taste and awesome flavor. Whenever I get them, even if I don't use them up immediately, I clean, wash, chop and store them in the freezer, it keeps well for at least 2 weeks. It tastes great in sambars, dals, curries and especially pairs very well with potatoes and paneer. I also make this Thokku with it, the bitterness of the leaves is balanced with the tangy tomatoes and the spicy chilly powder. Can have this as a side dish for rotis, mix it with rice or even as a sandwich spread, tastes simply divine..

Need To Have

• Chopped Methi - 1 1/2 cups
• Onions - 2 medium chopped
• Tomatoes - 2 medium chopped
• Turmeric Powder - 1/4 teaspoon
• Red Chilly Powder - 3/4 teaspoon
• Asafoetida - 1/4 teaspoon
• Jaggery - 1 teaspoon
• Mustard Seeds - 1/2 teaspoon
• Urad Dal/Black Gram - 1 teaspoon

Method

          Heat some oil, add the mustard seeds and the urad dal. Once it starts spluttering add the asfoetida and the chopped onions and saute it for 2 or 3 minutes. Now add the chopped tomatoes along with salt, turmeric and chilly powders.

          Keep sauteing it until the tomatoes turn mushy, then add the washed, cleaned and chopped fenugreek leaves and mix. Add the jaggery, reduce the heat and cook it ( mixing it at intervals) till it is completely cooked and oil leaves the side. The final consistency should be that of of a spread or jam consistency.

Note
Be a little liberal with the oil, this stores well in the fridge for at least a week.
You'll find fresh fenugreek leaves in Indian grocery stores, can also use the frozen ones available.
Use nice ripe and tangy tomatoes for this dish, and also add chilly powder according to your spice level, the final dish will be balanced with a sweet, sour, bitter and spicy taste.
If you don't find fenugreek leaves, can do this with any kind of leafy vegetable that has a slight bitter taste, or do with chopped spinach and add a teaspoon of powdered dry fenugreek seeds or crushed kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) at the end.