Welcome aboard!

Indian cuisine is a riot of colours, flavours, and spices. Every state has its own unique culture- ingrained taste bud. And, to many of us staying within familiar tastes is a sacrosanct act. Of course an occasional trip to a speciality restaurant that serves another fare is ok. But, as a matter of routine ...at home...NO!

One of the benefits of being born to parents who dared an interstate marriage (am talking about India of the 70's) was being able to widen a regional taste bud to accept, experiment and, relish eclectic cuisines :-)

I love food! Be it traditional or fusion, cooking is all about turning out fare that is tasty and healthy.I welcome all lovers of good food to come on aboard and share your kitchen adventures.

If you like what you see, do leave a comment. If you don't, please leave a suggestion to help me make this better.

You can also request for any recipe you want. Just leave a note in a comment box.

Happy cooking!

Dershana

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Sambharam (flavoured and spiced up buttermilk)

Four and a half months into food blogging and 100th post, so guess I should be celebrating. But, feeling disinclined to cook, eat, or blog the past few days. Missed out on a whole lot of events I'd bookmarked because of this. So, this time I decided to post a simple 'sambharam' (flavoured and spiced up buttermilk) recipe. Sambharam is very popular in Kerala and before the onslaught of the fizzy drinks, it was this nourishing drink that was the most sought after and the most consumed thirst quencher. Unlike its upstart artificially flavoured, areated counterparts, the sambharam offers only health benefts and zero side effects.


Low fat plain yoghurt - 50 ml
Water - 200 ml
Green chilli - 1
Coriander leaves (cilantro) - 2 sprigs
Curry leaves - 3-4 leaves
Ginger - 1/4 teaspoon (grated)
Small onions (shallots/scallions) - 2 Nos
Asafoetida (hing/perunkayam) - a pinch
Salt to taste
Freshly squeezed lime - 1/2 teaspoon
Optionals
Roasted and powdered cumin (jeera) - a pinch
Roasted and powdered Fenugreek seeds - a pinch
Fresh lemon tree leaves - a couple

Traditionally, buttermilk was made by whisking yoghurt long enough for the cream to seperate and come up. This was then skimmed out. So buttermilk in reality was yoghurt with the butter content removed. But a simpler method is to whisk the curd lightly to make smooth and add water to thin it.

Crush all ingredients apart from the yoghurt and water in mixer bowl/blender. Whisk the yoghurt and add in the water and the crushed spices. Add salt to taste and the freshly squeezed lime.

Excellant in beating heat, dehydration, and aiding digestion.

My friend Vidhya of My Receipes (iyercooks) has passed me this award. Thanks a bunch Vidhya.

Will pass this on soon.

32 comments:

ST said...

Sambharam is really good for beating heat Raaji:)looks inviting......

Indian Khana said...

Looks refreshing..buttermilk is always gud to drink...

ST said...

Sorry Dershana by mistake I mentioned Raaji .Actually I opened Both of urs window and in confusion I mentioned Raaji instead of dershana....

Deepthi Shankar said...

i love this N always drink it often during summers .. very god for health

Usha said...

Looks cool and refreshing :)

Unknown said...

Pefect on a scorching day!

Valarmathi Sanjeev said...

Never used onions and optionals to buttermilk. Will try when i have it next time.

Yasmeen said...

Buttermilk with all the spices and herbs is certainly a healthy drink.

Cynthia said...

Hi Dershana, would this qualify as a cold soup? Sounds delicious.

Nidhi said...

100th post in just 4 and 1/2 months of blogging! Congrats dear. Keep rocking!

Sambharam is the best drink for the summers.

Shreya said...

awesome sambharam:-) mouth watering...best to quench thirst

Priyanka said...

oh we make similar spiced buttermilk except for the onions and the tempering.

Vani said...

100 posts in four months is something to celebrate for sure! Congratulations on the landmark post. We call this majjige and I love it. Perfect post dinner drink.

Raks said...

I love seasoned ,flavoured buttermilk very much in a hot sunny day! Looks cool and congrats on ur award!

Purva Desai said...

Masala chass is part of my everyday diet....its helps to digest food as well..

anudivya said...

Congrats on your 100 posts feat!
I know that mode... no cooking, no blogging, no food mode...
Been there!
All that said, you did come up with a wonderful drink!

ST said...

Happy Dusshera to You and Your Family Dershana!!!!

Madhavi said...

Refreshing entry, looks gooood!!!

Uj said...

Hey Dershana,
Tagged you for a meme. do take it up when you have time. Thanks

Vidhya said...

What a refreshing drink. And you finally grabbed the award :-). Again another surprise waiting for you in my blog. check out.

ST said...

Dershana there is a surprise waiting for you in my blog.Please Check out:)

Sujatha said...

A refreshing and healthy drink!! I can have one glass right now..

Indranee Batabyal said...

Lovely drink...looks fabulous!

Yasmeen said...

Dershana,Hope you are alright dear.when you return please check out an award waiting for you:)

Nidhi said...

Hey Dershana...long time no action on your blog. Hope you are doing fine.

Bharti said...

That sounds so refreshing.

Yasmeen said...

hi Dershana,does chocolate please you?
I've an award waiting for you at my blog,please collect:)
Have a great weekend!

ST said...

WISHING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY A VERY HAPPY & PROSPEROUS DIWALI......

Purva Desai said...

Wishing u and ur family Happy Diwali...

Srivalli said...

Long time...hope things are fine!

lubnakarim06 said...

Hi, Where are you. No new posts...

Sunshinemom said...

Sambharam looks great! Does Mercurial mean disappearance? Come back girl!! Wish you a very Happy New Year:)

 
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