There are a countless number of dishes that are made all over the country in the winter season. Different parts of India have different food items that they think are well suited for the chilly weather. Several states and cities have food suited to their specific geography and weather conditions. Fresh vegetables, fruits and winter appropriate spices make up the main food of most places. While Bengal has several date palm jaggery delicacies, North-East has many soup recipes. Similarly, milagu kuzhambu is a special delicacy from Tamil Nadu.
Milagu kuzhambu or pepper kuzhambu is one of the healthiest dishes that can be made with or without garlic. Because of pepper, it is a recipe that will provide you with warmth, immunity and protection from cold during the winters. Let us look at the easy and quick recipe to make this soul soothing winter dish.
Ingredients
- 40 grams Tamarind
- 50 grams Garlic
- 1 tbsp Turmeric powder
- Curry leaves
- Salt as required
Grinding
- 3 tsp black pepper
- 3 tsp Coriander seeds
- 2 tsp Tur Dal
- 1 tsp Raw Rice
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 4-5 Red Chillies
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
Seasoning
- 4 tbsp oil (nallennai preferred)
- 1 tsp Asafoetida powder
- 1 tsp Mustard seeds
- 1/2 tsp Fenugreek seeds
- 2-3 Red chilli
- Curry leaves
Method
It can be enjoyed alonside steamed rice | Instagram - @iamsivaranjanirajendran
- Fry the ingredients mentioned under 'Grinding' in 2 tsp of sesame seed oil and turn off the heat.
- Add a bunch of curry leaves and saute in the heat of the pan. Remember to not cook it on an extremely heated pan as that will burn the leaves.
- Once the ingredients cool down, grind it to a smooth paste and keep it aside.
- Next, soak the tamarind in warm water and extract thick tamarind juice.
- Discard the pulp after extracting tamarind juice.
- Heat 4 tbsp of oil in a deep pan.
- Add mustard seeds and when it splutters, add fenugreek seeds, asafetida powder, red chillis, peeled garlic, curry leaves and saute for a couple of minutes.
- Now, add the tamarind extract, salt, a tsp of turmeric powder and the ground paste and boil it till bubbles appear.
- Reduce the heat to medium or low and cook till you see the kuzhambu is thickened.
- Remove from heat when the kuzhambu starts to leave oil.
That is all! Your healthy and delicious Milagu Kuzhambu is ready. Serve with steamed rice and enjoy! You can also store the kuzhambu for a week in the fridge.
