Nellikkai ( Gooseberry ) Rasam / Dwadashi Sathuamuthu

Amlas are a classic Indian wonderberry, but is little known outside of Southeast Asia. It is exceptionally tart, astringent, and refreshing. The most common amla recipes include juice, pickle, and as a flavor enhancer in curries and rice-based dishes. Today Dwadashi day, , I decided to try making Sathuamuthu using amla and I was blown away by its taste. 

Prep Time:               10 Minutes

Cooking Time      :    20 Minutes

Recipe Category  :     Rasam, Soup

Cuisine               :    South Indian 

To Serve             :     3-4 People

Ingredients

Frozen Gooseberry /Fresh Amlas  :    6 nos.

Tomatoes(optional)   :                      1 no.

Green Chillies           :                      1 no.

Turmeric powder       :                      ¼ Teaspoon

Mint leaves (optional)                        1 Tablespoon

Asafetida Powder                               1 Teaspoon

Lemon Juice                                      1 Tablespoon

Salt                          :                       To Taste

Coriander Leaves  

         

For the Spice Paste:

Black Pepper          :        1 Tablespoon

Cumin Seeds                   1 Teaspoon

Coriander Seeds              1 Teaspoon

Ginger                            1 inch Slice

Curry Leaves                    Few

For Seasoning:

Ghee     :                        1 Tablespoon

Black Pepper :                 ½ Teaspoon

Cumin Seeds      :            ½ Teaspoon

Broken Red Chillies     :     4 Nos.

Curry Leaves       :            Few    

Method:

• Wash and Cut the Nellikkai into wedges. Discard the seeds.
• Wash the Tomato and  Chop tomato into fine pieces, place in blender with 1 cup water. Tomato juice is ready, keep it aside.

• Take a Blender , add nellikai,1 inch sliced ginger, green chili & Mint leaves. Grind them to a fine paste without adding any water.

• Coarsely grind pepper, cumin, coriander and Keep aside.

• Take a Sauce Pan add Asafetida powder, curry leaves, ground Nellikai paste, tomato juice, water & turmeric. Mix well and bring to a boil. Continue to boil for 8 to 10 minutes.

• Add grounded spice powder and continue to cook on medium high for another 7 -8 minutes until it becomes frothy.
• Heat oil in a heavy bottomed vessel, add a generous pinch of Hing. Once the Hing is fried, add mustard seeds and as they splutter add black pepper, cumin seed , red chillies and curry leaves.

• Pour the tempering to the simmering Rasam, remove from fire.
• Add the Lemon juice  and mix well.
• Garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves and serve hot with a bowl of steamed rice or enjoy as a light and healthy soup.

Note:

• Here I used frozen Gooseberries. ( In USA , we don’t get fresh Amlas). You can use fresh Nellikkai.
• Dwadashi days, I won’t use Mint and Tomatoes.

Appalam Kuzhambhu/ Pappad Gravy

A simple and easy Tamil Brahmin Kuzhambu prepared with fried papad or Appalam in tamarind gravy. Generally, Vathal Kuzhambu is made with vegetables. But this recipe uses Appalam instead. Whenever I run out of vegetables, feel like having Kuzhambu – Appalam Kuzhambu comes to my mind. This tangy Kuzhambu tastes yummy,  when mixed with rice and some sesame oil.

Preparation Time:  10 Minutes

Cooking Time:        20 Minutes

Recipe Category:    Kuzhambhu

Cuisine:                   South Indian

Serves:                    4 Nos.

Ingredients:

Tamarind Extract             3 Cups (  I used lemon size tamarind and extracted)

Appalam/Pappad             2 Nos.(  Break into Pieces)

Turmeric powder             ¼ Teaspoon

Sambhar Powder            1 ½ Tablespoon

Red Chili Powder             1/8 Teaspoon

Grated Coconut              1 Tablespoon (optional)

Jaggery Powder              1 Tablespoon

Salt                               To Taste

To Temper:

Gingerly Oil/Sesame Oil      3 Tablespoon

Mustard Seeds                   1 Teaspoon

 Fenugreek seed                1/4 Teaspoon 

Asafetida Powder               ½ Teaspoon

Curry Leaves                      few

Method:

• Soak tamarind in warm water for 10-15 minutes and extract tamarind water, discarding the pulp.
• Deep fry the papad pieces into hot oil. Keep aside.
• Heat the Kadai and add Oil, Mustard seeds. After it splutters, add the Fenugreek seed .
• Once it become golden brown, add the Hing and Curry leaves. Then  add the grated Coconut, Turmeric , Red Chili Powder and Sambar powder. Sauté it for few seconds.
• Add the Tamarind extract and Salt. Allow it to boil for 15 min, until the oil separates. Cook it in the medium flame.
• Finally add the Jaggery and mix it well. Switch off the flame/heat.
• Add the Appalam just few minutes before serving the Kuzhambu.
• Serve it hot with Rice and Potato Fry and Dangar Pachadi.

Note:

• You can also break the Appalam ( instead of deep frying ) and add it to the tempering .
• Appalam Kuzhambu thicken over the time because of Urdh in Appalam. So add water according to the consistency you desire.
• To add thickness to the gravy add 1 tsp of rice flour in 50 ml of water and add to the Kuzhambu.