Stir-fry Amaranth Greens with Roasted Garlic

by Kiran on May 14, 2013 · 100 comments

in Sides, Stir Fry, Vegetarian

What happened back then when a dash of this or a sprinkling of that made life simpler in the kitchen? Frankly, many recipe requires prep that includes measurements, a long list of ingredients etc. — which can be pretty daunting to those taking their first steps in the kitchen.

Well, this recipe is definitely easy for any beginners and for those who are yet to try roasting garlic. It changed my life. Literally.

I’m here to prove that at least some part of a simple recipe wouldn’t require all the kitchenalia’s that I’ve acquired a few years now.

It’s almost a hazard, I tell ya.

Stir-fry Amaranth Greens with Garlic | KiranTarun.com

Before we get started, allow me to shower you with my outpouring love for stir-frying fresh greens. It’s just that time of the year, where greens are simply too pretty to eat, yet that fact shouldn’t stop you from devouring the best of what mother-nature offers.

And the best way of doing so it NOT by dousing it with oil, drenching it with sauce or simply eating it plain. Gather cloves of garlic (best yet, roasted garlic) and up the flavor-ville of your favorite greens.

It can be from amaranth to simple all time favorite spinach. Let your creativity on loose here.

Stir-fry Amaranth Greens with Garlic | KiranTarun.com

Print This Recipe Print This Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 to 4 large handfuls of amaranth leaves (picked+washed+pat to dry)
  • 10 whole roasted garlic cloves
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp water

Directions:

  1. To roast garlic, preheat oven to 350F. Halved a whole head of garlic. Drizzle some olive oil, salt and pepper on each cut side. Wrap garlic in a foil and roast for 45 to 50 minutes.
  2. Heat a huge skillet on medium high. Wait for the pan to heat before adding oil.
  3. Throw in a few cloves of roasted garlic. Fry for a few seconds before adding in amaranth greens, salt and some water. Cover to steam for a minute. Toss greens to evenly wilt for another minute. Serve hot.

Note: Pick amaranth greens that is fresh and not dry. Dry amaranth greens are tougher and chewy in texture. Only pick tender leaves and stems.

 

Stir-fry Amaranth Greens with Garlic | KiranTarun.com

Real-time fact: I have a few sets of measuring spoons. Someone, please send help.

What is your favorite method of unwinding kitchen “rituals”? I simply miss peeling potatoes with a small knife. And now, I have 2 peelers and disarray kitchen drawers begging for a breather.

Go figure.

 

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Comments on this entry are closed.

1 Rosa May 14, 2013 at 9:54 AM

My kind of food and way of cooking! A wonderful way of preparing amaranth.

Cheers,

Rosa

2 Kiran May 20, 2013 at 4:15 PM

Thanks Rosa! You are the best 🙂

3 Marta @ What should I eat for breakfast today May 14, 2013 at 10:45 AM

I like stir fry greens as well. It started with spinach and now it’s everything alse. Such a simple nice recipe 🙂
Marta @ What should I eat for breakfast today recently posted..Sausage a’la octopus

4 Kiran May 20, 2013 at 10:07 PM

Marta — I agree with you. It all started with spinach 🙂

5 Gourmantine May 14, 2013 at 11:05 AM

That’s such a lovely dish and idea for spring, though I’ll have to go with spinach instead of amaranth since I haven’t seen any around.
Gourmantine recently posted..Ginger and chili roast chicken with sticky carrots and zucchini salad

6 Kiran May 20, 2013 at 10:08 PM

Gourmantine — you’d usually find it in the Asian supermarkets or grocery stores.

7 Kiran May 20, 2013 at 10:10 PM

ps; I’m having trouble commenting on your blog. Just thought to inform you 🙂

8 Caroline Taylor May 14, 2013 at 11:14 AM

This looks wonderful. I love the idea of the roasted garlic with the greens too.

9 Kiran May 20, 2013 at 10:08 PM

Caroline — thank you 🙂

10 Laura @ Family Spice May 14, 2013 at 11:15 AM

Oh wow! I know what you mean about greens being too pretty eat! I have never tried amaranth and now you will have me hunting my farmer’s markets searching for some. Gorgeous colors!
Laura @ Family Spice recently posted..Brunch Smackdown at Mister A’s

11 Kiran May 20, 2013 at 10:11 PM

Laura — lol! I hope you’d find some. If not, try your local Asian supermarkets.

12 Mr. & Mrs. P May 14, 2013 at 12:04 PM

Never tried this type of greens.. Looks really good though!
Mr. & Mrs. P recently posted..Brunch for Mom

13 Kiran May 20, 2013 at 10:14 PM

Mr & Mrs P — thank you! there’s quite a variety of greens out there.

ps: I’ve never tried collard or chards before 😀

14 Laura (Tutti Dolci) May 14, 2013 at 12:25 PM

I love roasted garlic, the perfect addition to greens!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) recently posted..raspberry & brown butter muffins

15 Kiran May 22, 2013 at 4:06 PM

Laura — ditto!!

16 Coffee and Crumpets May 14, 2013 at 12:27 PM

I think at home we all still cook in that manner don’t we? I still do a dash of this and a sprinkling of that…but how do you tell someone else who may want to prepare it? That’s where the massive lists come in!
Are amaranth greens the same as ambada? I’ve actually never tried them and can’t usually find them in the stores here. If its the same as ambada, I may look for them in the Indian stores. Roasted garlic is to die for…and how perfect with greens!

Nazneen
Coffee and Crumpets recently posted..Chicken and Slicks

17 Kiran May 22, 2013 at 4:16 PM

Nazneen — oh, absolutely. I was just discussing it as a “matter of fact” 🙂

Nope, amaranth is not the same as ambada. You can usually find amaranth at the Asian grocery stores. If not, spinach or any greens will work too!

18 Your Cookery Book May 14, 2013 at 2:32 PM

Absolutely, divine food!
Your Cookery Book recently posted..How to Make Indian Fried Rice Recipe

19 Kiran May 22, 2013 at 11:39 PM

YCB — thank you!

20 Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ May 14, 2013 at 3:58 PM

I’m not a roasted garlic lover (maybe because I’ve never tried?) but your compelling words are able to change my food preferences! I might be bold and try the combo veggies/roasted garlic 🙂
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ recently posted..Pierogi Ravioli with Cheese, Potatoes and Caramelized Onions

21 Kiran May 22, 2013 at 11:40 PM

Daniela — try it! roasted garlic is my go-to way of enjoying the simplest meal. roasting garlic is liquid gold, in my opinion 😀

22 dixya@food, pleasure, and health May 14, 2013 at 4:16 PM

i enjoy cooking without any measurements yet there are some recipes and baking when meticulous measuring in required which I sometime find therapeutic..I had roasted garlic spread over a toast and it did change my world a little bit..I love greens fresh or simple sauteed like this. Amaranth looks gorgeously delicious
dixya@food, pleasure, and health recently posted..Marvelous Hummus Recipes

23 Kiran May 23, 2013 at 12:17 AM

Dixya — i agree with you about “therapeutic” baking sessions 😀

24 Amy Tong May 14, 2013 at 4:29 PM

Oh…I agree with you. Simple stir fry of green leaves with a few garlic (or a lot of garlic) is one of my favorite dish to make, especially on the weekdays. 🙂 Your amaranth greens look gorgeous!
Amy Tong recently posted..Strawberry and Lime Sparkle

25 Kiran May 23, 2013 at 12:18 AM

Amy — thank you. love the simplicity of greens with tons of chopped garlic. yum 😀

26 Monica May 14, 2013 at 5:49 PM

It’s amazing what great flavor simple olive oil and garlic together can make. I’ve never tried amaranth and would love to!
Monica recently posted..Chocolate olive oil cake

27 Kiran May 23, 2013 at 12:20 AM

Monica — ditto and if you can’t find amaranth, spinach would taste just as great 🙂

28 Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies May 14, 2013 at 6:19 PM

So THAT is amaranth, huh? 🙂 I’ve never had it before, but I saw seeds for it the other day in a catalog. Roasted garlic is definitely the perfect addition to any greens!
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies recently posted..Saving Recipes, Creating Shopping Lists & Other New Features on Oh My Veggies

29 Kiran May 23, 2013 at 12:22 AM

Kiersten — oh yes 😀

30 honeywhatscooking May 14, 2013 at 10:41 PM

Looks beautiful Is amarnath an Indian word? Does it have an English name. I’ve never heard of this before. Thanks for the Bread Poha recipe K.. it was phenom!
honeywhatscooking recently posted..Bread Poha

31 Kiran May 23, 2013 at 12:48 AM

Honey — amaranth is an English word. i’m so happy you enjoyed the bread poha recipe 🙂

32 Angie@Angie's Recipes May 15, 2013 at 2:43 AM

You have no idea how much I love amaranth. My mama used to make lots of amaranth stir-fry with garlic for our lunch during the summer time…so appetizing and tasty.
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted..Coconut Cream White Chocolate Mousse

33 Kiran May 23, 2013 at 1:01 AM

Angie — and now I do!

34 Sissi May 15, 2013 at 4:15 AM

I have never had amaranth greens! They look sensational and so easy to prepare. I think I see them in some of my Asian grocery shops… Now I know what to do with them 🙂 Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Sissi recently posted..Korean Sweet Potato Noodles with Dark Soy Sauce

35 Kiran May 23, 2013 at 1:04 AM

Sissi — you are welcome and enjoy!

36 My Kitchen Stories May 15, 2013 at 5:12 AM

I have also never eaten or bought amaranth. I have a feeling they may be becoming a hit. I love anything green.
My Kitchen Stories recently posted..Gluten Free Chocolate Orange Ballerina Cake

37 Kiran May 23, 2013 at 1:07 AM

Tania — there’s tons of greens out there, waiting to be discovered 🙂

38 easyfoodsmith May 15, 2013 at 6:22 AM

I love spinach greens tossed in garlic but have never tried it with roasted garlic. You have captured beautifully the colours of amaranth.
easyfoodsmith recently posted..CURD RICE (THAIR SAADAM)

39 Kiran May 23, 2013 at 12:15 PM

EasyFoodSmith — thank you and please do try stir frying greens with roasted garlic. it’s simply divine 🙂

40 Hannah May 15, 2013 at 8:36 AM

fave kitchen rituals = chopping garlic, stirring risotto, making meatballs with my hands. 🙂

this looks sooo fresh and delicious, Kiran! no idea where I would find amaranth greens in my area though, wah!
Hannah recently posted..Green black bean salad with avocado-tahini dressing

41 Kiran May 23, 2013 at 12:18 PM

Hannah — thank you and you can always substitute amaranth for any greens you may have.

And I love your kitchen rituals.. sounds so therapeutic 🙂

42 Anne ~ Uni Homemaker May 15, 2013 at 9:05 AM

I love stir-fry greens and this is how I cook them as well with any greens where I’m not sure what to do with them. 🙂 I have never used amaranth greens but will be on the look out for them. Thanks for sharing Kiran.
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker recently posted..Cheddar & Chive Mini Beer Loaves

43 Kiran May 23, 2013 at 1:54 PM

Anne — you are welcome and hope you’d get to try amaranth soon 🙂

44 Alyssa (Everyday Maven) May 15, 2013 at 11:40 AM

Beautiful Kiran – I have only had Amaranth greens 2x but they are wonderful!
Alyssa (Everyday Maven) recently posted..Herbed Jicama Salad for The Lemon Bowl

45 Kiran May 23, 2013 at 2:02 PM

Alyssa — thank you so much!

46 Nik@ABrownTable May 15, 2013 at 1:52 PM

Gosh, amaranth everything is my summer craze this year. I had amaranth microgreens last night, this gorgeous stir-fry is on my menu this week.
Nik@ABrownTable recently posted..rhubarb lentil salad

47 Kiran May 23, 2013 at 2:03 PM

Nik — yummy!

48 kale May 15, 2013 at 3:44 PM

what lovely photos! I want to gobble it all up; I might even have to forego the chopsticks and pile it all into my mouth by the handfuls! cause I’m ladylike that way… 😉
kale recently posted..iced leftover morning coffee-from-the-pot chocolate shake

49 Kiran May 23, 2013 at 2:09 PM

Kale — lol, i can imagine doing that myself 😉

50 Sanjeev May 15, 2013 at 3:45 PM

Being a vegetarian and someone who loves to cook, I keep searching for new recipes all the time. This seems both simple and delicious.

I know what I will dong this Sunday!
Sanjeev recently posted..Upto 45% OFF Sale on Amar Chitra Katha

51 Kiran May 23, 2013 at 2:10 PM

Sanjeev — thank you so much and I hope you enjoyed this simple and nutritious recipe 🙂

52 Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking May 15, 2013 at 5:23 PM

I love how a handful of greens, garlic and simple flavorings can combine to make something so delicious! This looks perfect for a spring side dish, Kiran. Lovely recipe!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking recently posted..Spicy Tex-Mex Sloppy Joes

53 Kiran May 23, 2013 at 2:13 PM

Georgia — thanks sweet friend 🙂

54 Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence May 15, 2013 at 5:23 PM

Those greens are gorgeous! I love the simple preparation 🙂
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence recently posted..Pulled Pork Tamales with Corn Salsa

55 Kiran May 23, 2013 at 2:16 PM

Brandon — thank you!!

56 lizzie - strayed from the table May 15, 2013 at 5:59 PM

The amaranth looks so beautiful the colours are really great. I have a small kitchen with only a few appliances though Roy and I spend a day every now and again with a bottle of wine peeling garlic by hand. So then we can mash it and we preserve it to use for later.
lizzie – strayed from the table recently posted..Mushroom Wellington Recipe

57 Kiran May 23, 2013 at 2:18 PM

Lizzie — i love your garlic routine. sounds very therapeutic 🙂

58 john@kitchenriffs May 15, 2013 at 8:06 PM

I love to stir-fry greens. Or anything else, really, but greens are always so tasty and look so good! I love all the garlic in this. Really nice recipe – thanks so much.
john@kitchenriffs recently posted..Southern Green Beans with Bacon

59 Kiran May 23, 2013 at 2:28 PM

John — you are welcome 🙂

60 Wizzy May 15, 2013 at 9:08 PM

Such pretty colours. Here we call this bhaji. Love it as you have done but I tend to add caramelised onions as well
.
Wizzy recently posted..This is why I am not a vegetarian.

61 Kiran May 23, 2013 at 2:40 PM

Wizzy — thank you so much! and a great idea with caramelized onions 🙂

62 Kankana May 15, 2013 at 9:23 PM

This is typically how I like to enjoy greens. Simply saute, no fuss, no complication, just plain and simple flavor.

63 Kiran May 23, 2013 at 2:41 PM

Kankana — ditto 🙂

64 rebecca May 15, 2013 at 10:48 PM

love this recipe simple and healthy
rebecca recently posted..Sprouted Kala Channa Salad

65 Kiran May 23, 2013 at 2:43 PM

Rebecca — thank you!

66 Kitchen Belleicious May 15, 2013 at 11:02 PM

Oh, greens with garlic and amaranth. Just simply genius and rich and delicious. I want this now
Kitchen Belleicious recently posted..Baked Apples stuffed with Cinnamon Oatmeal Perfect Portions+Yogurt+Honey

67 Kiran May 23, 2013 at 3:20 PM

Jessica — 🙂

68 ashley - baker by nature May 15, 2013 at 11:04 PM

So pretty and healthy. My kind of meal!

69 Kiran May 23, 2013 at 3:29 PM

Ashley — 🙂

70 Juliana May 15, 2013 at 11:52 PM

I love the simplicity of this dish…the way that I like.
Hope you are having a great week Kiran 🙂
Juliana recently posted..Caesar Salad Dressing Simplified

71 Kiran May 23, 2013 at 10:22 PM

Juliana — thank you my friend, and hope you are having a great week too 🙂

72 Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen May 16, 2013 at 12:00 AM

I love my greens but I have to say I’ve never had amaranth leaves before. I need to find some to try.
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen recently posted..Quick Pickled Carrots and Asparagus with Tarragon

73 Kiran May 23, 2013 at 11:17 PM

Sylvie — you need too. it’s so tasty 🙂

74 Lail | With A Spin May 16, 2013 at 12:59 AM

I love simple recipes and this sounds simple enough to whip up in a heart beat on a week night.
Lail | With A Spin recently posted..Rhubarb & Rosewater Granita

75 Kiran May 23, 2013 at 11:19 PM

Lail — totally 🙂

76 Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella May 16, 2013 at 3:48 AM

This is so simple but looks so delicious! 😀
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella recently posted..Comment on Lox, Stock & Barrel, Bondi Beach by Cara @ Gourmet Chick

77 Kiran May 24, 2013 at 2:24 AM

Lorraine — thank you 😀

78 Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar May 16, 2013 at 8:49 AM

Mmm so healthy! This sounds awesome!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar recently posted..Saigon Salad with Spicy Lime Sauce

79 Kiran May 24, 2013 at 2:25 AM

Katrina — thank you!

80 Giulia May 16, 2013 at 10:07 AM

I like simple and I like to cook with ‘a pinch of that’ and a ‘bunch of that’…I try to keep my kitchen gadgets to a minimum and am usually too lazy to measure, so this recipe is perfect! And any green with roasted garlic is divine!
Giulia recently posted..Spring Greens with Audrey’s and Sister Mag

81 Kiran May 24, 2013 at 2:25 AM

Giulia — totally!

82 Maureen | Orgasmic Chef May 16, 2013 at 11:36 AM

Healthy, spring-y and delicious. You ticked all the boxes. Now if it was just Spring here I’d dig in. 🙂
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef recently posted..Deep Sea Fishing & the start of the Noosa Food and Wine Festival

83 Kiran May 24, 2013 at 2:37 AM

Maureen — i’d do it on your behalf 😉

84 mycookinghut May 16, 2013 at 2:00 PM

Lovely stir fry! I have never tried amaranth before, would love to get my hands on!
mycookinghut recently posted..Orange Flower & Dark Chocolate Madeleines

85 Kiran May 24, 2013 at 3:14 AM

leemei — you must! its so delish 🙂

86 Simply Life May 16, 2013 at 7:41 PM

oh I love the colors in this- what a beautiful dish!
Simply Life recently posted..Shrimp Spring Rolls | Changes

87 Kiran May 24, 2013 at 3:38 AM

Gina — thank you!!

88 Gemma @andgeesaid May 16, 2013 at 7:46 PM

mmm i love garlic so much! this looks great xxx
Gemma @andgeesaid recently posted..Dulce Du Leche Walnut Tarts

89 Kiran May 24, 2013 at 3:38 AM

Gemma — 🙂

90 Nami | Just One Cookbook May 17, 2013 at 2:27 AM

I am not sure if I’ve tried amaranth leaves before (probably?) but it’s nice to find out that I can stir fry! So easy and delicious!! Love the simple, light, and delicious dish like this one!
Nami | Just One Cookbook recently posted..Temaki Sushi (Hand Roll)

91 Kiran May 24, 2013 at 3:42 AM

Nami — thanks my dear. and yes, it’s a must try with roasted garlic 🙂

92 Raymund May 17, 2013 at 7:06 AM

This recipe is a perfect timing, I’ve been looking for simple leafy green vegetables like this. Nice post
Raymund recently posted..Beef Ramen

93 Kiran May 24, 2013 at 3:48 AM

Raymund — thank you and hope you enjoy this recipe 🙂

94 Jeanette May 19, 2013 at 1:16 PM

I’ve never tried fresh amaranth leaves – it reminds me of Swiss chard. Love a simple stir fry veggie – it’s my go to on a most weeknights.
Jeanette recently posted..Super Easy Fresh Tomato Burrata Cheese Pesto Dip

95 Kiran May 24, 2013 at 3:48 AM

Jeanette — mine too! love simple and healthy stir-frys 🙂

96 Cass @foodmyfriend May 27, 2013 at 10:04 PM

Seriously beautiful stuff Kiran 🙂 So healthy. I need to get back into healthy greens. I have been naughty lately. Too many bad carbs!
Cass @foodmyfriend recently posted..Blueberry Pancakes

97 Kiran June 13, 2013 at 1:17 AM

Cass — haha, get your greens girl 🙂

98 Bridget August 15, 2013 at 11:08 AM

Just found your blog. At the Farmer’s Market today I picked up Aramanth leaves for the first time. I’ve never heard of them. I am excited to try this very recipe tonight.

Thanks!

99 Kiran August 18, 2013 at 12:34 PM

Bridget — hello and welcome to Recipebox! I hope you enjoyed this simple recipe. Let me know how it tastes 🙂

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