She was the lady who carried a cane basket filled with different fresh greens. She came every morning door to door to sell greens. A simple yet strong woman. I fell in love with her(my keerai lady/greens lady). Why, you might ask?
Her husband abandoned her. She adopted a little girl at 2 months and she started living for the little one. She sold greens in the mornings and did household chores in the afternoon for a living.
Many people struggle, why was she so special?
She had a smile every time I saw her. She spent at least 10 minutes talking to me everyday. She never once complained of how difficult her life was. All she spoke was how beautiful her little daughter was. She said she lived for the little one, she worked for the little one, the little one was her life.
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I met her on two of my visits to India. Then, boom, she was gone,and I have no clue where she lives and what she’s doing. I asked around, but what was tough was I have no clue what her name is, but she made an impression. I do love her. She will remain in my heart as the ‘Greens lady'(keeraikaari).
Have you met someone who made a lasting impression on you, who you wish you took the time to know better?
Now to the recipe after my emotional speech..The greens I used in this recipe(got it in an Indian store), I have no clue what it’s called in English. Do let me know if you know what the name is.
It doesn’t taste anything like spinach, it’s got a unique flavor to it. I am sure it’s got a lot of healthy properties.
The patty freezes very well, surprise guest, NO PROBLEM, defrost and pan fry it and you will be a star. The patties are so easy to make, so moist, it’s almost like, add everything and it turns out perfect.
Ingredients:
1 pounds minced chicken
2 cups packed finely chopped greens
2 tsp ginger garlic paste
1 tsp garam masala(spice mix)
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/4 tsp ground cumin
4 green chillies very finely chopped
1/4 red onions grated
1 tsp grated ginger
1 tsp salt or to taste
2 tsp oil for pan frying.
Method:
1. In a large bowl add minced chicken, greens, ginger/garlic paste, green chilies, grated onion, grated ginger and salt and mix it very gently. DON’t overmix.
2. Make 8 portions into patties and rest it for a bit.
3. Pan fry it for around 4 minutes on each side on medium heat or you could grill it.
4. Serve with APPLE CHUTNEY or any chutney of your choice.
You could stuff it in Pita bread or use as a burger on BURGER buns.
APPLE CORIANDER CHUTNEY
Ingredients:
1 gala apple
1 large bunch cilantro(chopped)
3 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp cumin/jeera
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
4 green chilies
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt or to taste.
GRIND everything to a fine paste and serve with the patties.
ENJOY!!
Very happy that u remembered this lady. Her name is Pushpa. She does not sell Keerai these days. She is a caretaker of a home in IIM Campus and her daughter is doing 9th std..
The chicken patties and the chutney is a lovely combination. tempting to eat. Good photo too.
These patties look so good. Love the combination of flavors! Great post!
What a lovely story Asha!
People like your greens lady are truly amazing and memorable!
And so are these chicken patties with apple chutney!
Love this!
Shashi @ http://runninsrilankan.com
Hey Asha! I absolutely love your blog and all your photos! I’ve added you to my favorite so I won’t miss a post. Let’s keep in touch!
xo, Kelly
Your chicken patties sound delicious and flavorful…and your photos are outstanding! And I hope the greens lady and her daughter are happy where ever they are…
they food looks delish so I am putting that to the top of my list
I think I know the keerai,its called Red amaranth or purple spinach. We have plenty of it over here, one bunch for a dollar. The leafy veg is usually into sambar but I like what you did with it. Will try out with lamb because chicken is a taboo for my other half.
Definitely the chutney has to be there too.
Lovely write up!! Yummy food.. Good post to read..
This delectable combo sounds interesting!
Such a scrumptious, summery meal! I love the look of these perfect patties and the apple chutney is a great accompaniment.
Nice back story with the greens!!! First time on your blog and I loved your space. The chicken patties look awesome!!!
Pushpa, so sweet. Glad she is doing well.
@ Nav- thanks so much> I’ve never used it in sambhar, another dish to try.
Yum, I love this, it would be the perfect snack or meal!
Delicious chicken patties and chutney. Yes some time simple thing happened in our life touches a lot. Your keerai lady/Pushpa is doing well.
Charming story, Asha! It is amazing how others and their lives touch us deeply—even strangers we meet. We seem to walk away with a little treasure from them…a shift in our hearts to treasure our own lives and those in it more so. Gratitude is a lovely thing. And, this recipe? I’m getting hungry for all things apple-ly and comfy! Loving these simple chicken patties gone glam! Thanks for sharing, girl!
Of course, we all remember the keeraikari. I do remember her well. And these juicy chicken patties with the amazing chutney is a great tribute to her. Perhaps some day she’ll read this…
Such a beautiful story and meal. Thanks for sharing Ash:)
Beautiful story and beautiful recipe Asha!
The greens look like what we call “Βλίτα” in Greece, it’s one of the most popular summer appetizers or side dish. It’s served with olive oil and lemon here. In English we think it’s called amaranth, it’s a type of pigweed. Even though they call it pigweed, it’s very very nutritious and healthy food. Contains calcium among others:)
What a lovely story Asha and I am glad to see you found out her name and that she’s doing well. A happy ending.
These patties look great! I like the addition of the greens…amaranth aren’t they? The chutney is a must too.
Nazneen
Asha, you are so right-some people you meet in your life are so positive minded that they really inspire you. Hope you get to meet her again 🙂
These patties look awesome. I also make something similar but with spinach and serve it as a burger, The greens definitely add a lot of moisture and so the burger is very juicy 🙂 Lovely post dear!
What a beautiful sounding woman! I love meeting people like that-those that look on the bright side of life 😀
Wow what a great story!! isn’t it amazing -the power of a smile has the ability to make a lasting impression and affect other people far longer than most things we tend to put a lot of importance on. those patties and chutney look delicious!!
I’m a big coriander fan, I always let my cilantro plants go to get the seeds off them. This looks great and so pretty, nice inviting pictures! 🙂
Thank you for sharing the beautiful story Ash! I’m very interested in trying this apple coriander chutney. Sounds so flavorful and can use for many dishes…
Such a delicious tribute. This is red amaranth or purple spinach. Yummy patties:)
hi Asha… how are you? couldn’t talk to you for long. Don’t you log in google+ very often these days?
By the way….these patties are looking delicious with green chutney. Lovely photos!
Femme, doing very good. So nice to see you here. Thanks girl, will buzz you tomorrow, will chat up.
thanks for the name of the greens..xx
Delicious patties and wonderful flavor combination! A great idea.
Cheers,
Rosa
wow, i’m so happy to have connected with you — your insanely vibrant, gorgeous images, and your stories. 🙂
What an emotional story dear…luvd it!
Food cooked by you always tastes great and awesome presentation! I will definitely try it with greens and cilantro is my favorite…:-)