We need to feed our bodies with warm foods that strengthen our immune system as the cold season arrives. A great approach to getting vital nutrients while savouring delicious flavours is with kuzhambu, a South Indian curry composed with a variety of ingredients like lentils, veggies, and aromatic spices. Warmth and vital vitamins are provided by immune-boosting spices like pepper, ginger, and turmeric, which are frequently included as main ingredients in kuzhambu recipes. The following recipes promote health and are versatile and tasty since they can be accompanied by fresh veggies or rice.
Milagu Kuzhambu
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp toor dal
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- Salt, as per taste
To make this dish, crush the toor dal and black pepper to a fine powder after roasting them until fragrant. In a pan with heated coconut oil, sauté onions until they become transparent. Cook until the sauce thickens by adding the tomatoes, salt, and turmeric powder. Add water to reach the desired consistency, stir in the dal mixture and ground pepper, and cook for ten to fifteen minutes. This kuzhambu is enjoyed with crispy chapatis or steamed rice ideal for the winter season to help fight off the cold.
Orange Peel Kuzhambu
Ingredients
- 1 cup orange peels, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup toor dal, cooked
- 2 tbsp tamarind paste
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 green chilies,
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 2 tbsp oil
- Salt, as per taste
In a pan with hot oil, add the mustard seeds and allow them to sputter. Green chillies and onions should be sautéed till golden. Cook for a few minutes after adding the orange peels. Add the tamarind paste, water, salt, and cooked dal; simmer until the flavours combine. Vitamin C, fibre, and other antioxidants included in orange peels support immunity and general health. This dish is accompanied with the steamed rice and it is savory and sweet food which is good for health.
Inji Kuzhambu
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup ginger, grated
- 1 cup tamarind water
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- Salt, as per taste
Heat oil and add the mustard seeds until they pop. Add the grated ginger and turmeric powder after the chopped onions have been sautéed till transparent. Stir in salt and tamarind water; boil until just thickened. It is well suitable for a comforting dinner and it is normally served together with rice or chapatis.
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Karuveppilai Kuzhambu
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh curry leaves
- 1/2 cup toor dal, cooked
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 2 tbsp tamarind pulp
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- Salt, as per taste
Fresh curry leaves are used to make the tasty cuisine Karuveppilai Kuzhambu, which has several health advantages. Another ingredient greatly valued for its nutritional value is curry leaves which contain vitamins, antioxidants, and many other essential micronutrients; are well-known natural remedies for indigestion and overall well-being. To make this dish heat a pan with oil, add the mustard seeds, and cook until they pop. After the onions have become golden, add the tomatoes and curry leaves and simmer until they are soft. Stir in the salt, tamarind pulp, and cooked dal; simmer for ten to fifteen minutes. Curry leaves aromatic essence is well showcased in this kuzhambu, resulting in a dish that is both healthy and fragrant. This savoury kuzhambu can be eaten with flatbreads or goes well with steamed rice.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Coriander Kuzhambu
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh coriander leaves, blended
- 1 cup tamarind water
- 1 tbsp turmeric powder
- 2 tbsp chana dal, soaked
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- Salt, as per taste
A refreshing dish that showcases the fragrant properties of coriander leaves is coriander kuzhambu. Coriander is known to have numerous health benefits, and it is even good for boosting the immune system, anti-inflammatory properties as well as good for digestion. Heat the oil in a pan and add the mustard seeds until they pop. Add the soaked chana dal and simmer for a few minutes after the onion has softened. Add salt, blended coriander, and tamarind water; cook until thickened.
Sundakkai Kuzhambu
Ingredients
- 1 cup sundakkai (turkey berry), cleaned
- 1/2 cup toor dal, cooked
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 tbsp tamarind paste
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- Salt, as per taste
In a skillet with hot oil, add the mustard seeds and stir until they sputter. Add sundakkai and simmer till tender after sautéing onions until transparent. Sauté the cooked dal, salt, turmeric powder, tamarind paste and mix everything well with the spices. This kuzhambu is a satisfying supper that attractively highlights seasonal foods and goes well with rice.
Besides, highlighting the variety of South Indian food, these six nutritious kuzhambu recipes offer essential nutrients to keep yourself warm in the winter. All of the dishes are delicious, satisfying, and perfect for eating on cold days. These meals will feed your soul Add these delicious recipes to your diet to make it healthy.