Before we get on to the post of the
day, let me take you through how Traditional dishes in South India have
evolved, and how they form part of any formal sit down meal – be it at
festivals or any occasion. My personal take is that, like any other food across
the world, Indian cuisine too has a certain order the dishes are served,
especially inSouth Indiancuisine – thechutneysandpachadisare served after
salt / pickle to tickle the senses – to bring the hot, fiery, tarty, spicy
flavours all in one go, and perk up the appetite much as an appetiser or soup would do.
The proteins and carbs are followed
with Rice, ghee (clarified butter – meant to line the stomach against acidity)
with the Sambhar (Lentils –
Veggie gravy) & Morkozhambu (yoghurt
gravy) which are again light on the stomach yet packed with punch with simple
earthy flavours before the oil from the deep fried papad(or vadas) and the
flavoured rice like Puliyogare or Chitranna are served.
The requisite fat comes from the fried
papad, and the fibre from the different stir fries (or Palya / Curry) or Usli from mostly green
vegetables that are just steamed and tossed with minimum oil. Sometimes it
could include a few root vegetables like Potato (which are again, never fried
but sautéed and tempered).
The journey goes on with Rasam (light lentil
broth – meant both to soothe your throat as well as to aid in digestion from
the copiuous cumin and coriander used in there) and then the Thayirvadais (deep
fried lentil vadas soaked in spiced yoghurt and tempered) all making their
appearance in quick succession along with payasam (kheer) to
soothe your palate after all the spice and the meal ends with cooling and soothing buttermilk
or curd. In all, a wholesome balanced meal and a gratifying experience, isn’t
it ?
Its the beginning of another week at
the April Mega Blogging Marathon and
the theme is “Traditional Dishes”. Guess this theme has no boundaries for India
is such a vibrant country with festivals in almost every month and each
household having its own traditions to celebrate them with a variety of
platter.
I have chosen those traditional recipes
which are made in my home, and we start with a yummy finger licking chutney (or
pachadi as its known) with Raw Mangoes. Made for Ugadi (or the Hindu New year),
this lipsmacking chutney is sure to tickle your palate as you prepare for the
sit-down meal after the Pooja (or worship) is completed on Ugadi. Lets get on
with the recipe for Ugadi Manga Pachadi
Prep time – 10 mins | cook time :
10 mins | Serves : 4
Difficulty level – Easy
Spice level - Medium
Ingredients:
· Raw Mango – 2 nos (medium)
· Jaggery – 4 TBSP
· Salt – to tase
· Oil – 1 tsp
· Red chilli powder – 1 tsp
· Methi seeds – ¼ tsp
· Dried or fresh Neem flowers – 2 small
pinches (optional – I didn’t add)
· Tempering : Mustard seeds, asafoetida
(a generous pinch), curry leaves, turmeric (½ tsp)
Method:
Bring about 2 cups of water to a
rolling boil
Wash, peel and shred the raw mango into
thick slivers (you may chop them too, but thick slivers are preferred – else
you may cut them into chunks)
In a thick bottomed kadai (or pan),
heat the oil. Once hot, splutter the mustard seeds and rest of the tempering.
Once the curry leaves are sautéed, add the methi seeds and let them brown a
little.
Add the chopped raw mango, and the
boiled water. Cover and cook for 8 – 10 mins till the flesh turns pulpy.
Now add the jaggery, salt and rest of
the ingredients. Let it cook for a further 5 mins on very slow flame till the
consistency is jam like and coats the back of a spoon. If using neem flowers,
you can add them in the tempering itself.
Serve warm at the beginning of any
traditional meal
Leftovers make a yummy spread on
toasted bread or roll it up with parathas or chapattis.
Note : If the raw mango is not tarty
enough, you could add 1 teaspoon of tamarind puree, but I assure you the taste would
be compromised. Look for sour raw mangoes to make the authentic version.
Corporate to Kitchen says
I love Mangoes & you dish looks so well balanced with all the sweet, spicy, salty, tangy flavours.
Unknown says
love to have this pachadi with curd rice 🙂 looks delicious 🙂
Unknown says
Pachadi looks delicious!! 🙂
http://www.rita-bose-cooking.com/
Rajani S says
Yes, I agree with you. Every dish served on the plate has a role to play to aid the digestion and I like our well balanced meals.
The pachadi looks nice and delicious!
Unknown says
very diff type of pachadi. Even a dead tongue will be alive with this taste. Good one.
Shruti Dhingra Wahi says
Tangy and full of flavour ...Love it !!
ShrutiRasoi
Tandoori Pomfret
Motions and Emotions says
Wish you happy ugadi in advance...lovely dish..
Srivalli says
Very nice writeup Kalyani..the mango pachadi looks yum!
nayana says
Very interesting and informative post loved reading it.....Happy Ugadi to you...
vaishali sabnani says
the chutney looks nice....it is something like the chutney we make..
Sanoli Ghosh says
Tangy pickle. Loved it!
today's post:
http://sanolisrecipies.blogspot.in/2013/04/dum-ka-murgh-award.html
Foodiliciousnan says
My mil makes this during summer for most family lunch meals. Looks very nice. And yes, south Indian meals are definitely very well balanced
Priya Suresh says
Cant imagine ugadi celebration without mango pachadi,droolworthy.
The Pumpkin Farm says
this looks so beautiiful, and mouthwatering, mangoes are always welcome
sujitha says
mouth watering mangoes...........
Archana says
Did not know abt the addition of neem flowers. The pic has me drooling. I need to go and eat now.
Chitz says
Yummy one.. My mom makes a variation of this 🙂 U have a great space.. Glad to be ur new follower 🙂
Harini R says
Nice write up and a nice pachadi, Kalyani. Happy Ugadi!
Manju says
Love your way writing, love to taste this pachadi
Unknown says
It is simply mouth watering I can't wait any more. Thanks for the unique recipe.
Britannia cheese products
Unknown says
The sweet sour bowl of yumminess
Padmajha says
Nice write up and yummy relish!
Unknown says
wow so many tastes with sweet, sour, tangy, little bitter... delicious.. love the authentic pachadi..
Sowmya
Event - Bake Fest
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Suma Gandlur says
Loved the writeup and the chutney. Never had mango-jaggery combo pickle.
Pavani says
Lovely post. Mango pachadi looks tasty!!