Thotakura pulusu – amaranth stew

Posted on August 12, 2025

Difficulty

Prep time

30 mins

Cooking time

25min

Total time

Servings

5

Ingredients

  • Amaranth leaves (Thotakura) – 2 cups, washed & chopped

  • Tamarind – lemon-sized ball, soaked & pulp extracted

  • Green chili – 1–2, chopped

  • Onion – 1 small, chopped

  • Tomato – 1 medium, chopped

  • Turmeric – ¼ tsp

  • Salt – to taste

  • Oil – 2 tsp

  • Water – 2 cups

  • For Tempering

    • Mustard seeds – ½ tsp

    • Cumin seeds – ½ tsp

    • Dry red chili – 1

    • Curry leaves – few

    • Asafoetida (hing) – a pinch

Execution

1. Prepare Tamarind Water

  • Soak tamarind in warm water → extract pulp.

2. Cook Base

  • Heat oil → add mustard, cumin, dry chili, curry leaves, hing.

  • Add onions + green chili → sauté 2–3 mins.

  • Add tomatoes + turmeric → cook until soft.

  • Add tamarind water + salt → bring to boil.

3. Add Thotakura

  • Add chopped amaranth leaves → simmer 5–6 mins until leaves are tender.

  • Adjust consistency with water.

4. Serve

  • Serve hot with steamed rice.

Additional tips

  • Use tender leaves and stems for best flavor and texture.

  • Don’t overcook; thotakura leaves wilt quickly.

  • Adjust tamarind according to desired tanginess for a perfect balance