Spiced Buttermilk ( South Indian )

Chilled spiced buttermilk !!!!! That's a summer treat. I can have it all day.

Buttermilk is a popular drink in both North India as well as  South India but of course the recipes are different. 

Here is the South Indian style spiced buttermilk recipe. I shall soon blog the North Indian style buttermilk, the recipe of which, calls for roasted jeera powder and chat masala and a few more. 

Ingredients: 

• Curd - 1 cup
• Water - 2 cups (adjust water according to preferred consistency ) 
• Lemon Juice - 1 tbsp
• Fresh Ginger, minced - 1 tbsp
• Green Chilies, minced - 1 tbsp
• Cilantro - finely chopped - 2 tbsp
• Salt - to taste
• Oil - 3/4 tsp
• Mustard Seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Curry Leaves - 4-5
• Hing ( Asafoetida ) - 2 pinches

Directions: 

• In a blender, combine curds, water, lemon juice, ginger, green chilies, cilantro, salt and give them a few pulses just so all the ingredients are well incorporated. Adjust salt and keep aside. 
• Now for tempering, heat a little oil and sputter mustard seeds in it. Add curry leaves, hing and turn off the heat immediately. Add this tempering to the buttermilk. Mix well.
• Keep it in fridge till it is chilled and till all the flavors are well absorbed by the buttermilk.
• Serve chilled. If needed , add ice cubes before serving.

PS: In case you don't want curry leaves or mustard seeds to pop  in your mouth while drinking, you can strain and drink. The flavor must have already been absorbed.

Dill Paratha

Fresh dill leaves are such aromatic herb. I just added chopped leaves to the plain good old chapati and made it a little more flavorful.


Ingredients :

• Whole wheat flour - 2 cups
• Warm water or milk for kneading - around 1 cup ( adjust accordingly )
• Salt - 1/2 tsp
• Ajwain ( Carom Seeds ) - 1/2 tsp
• Dill Leaves - 1 small bunch
• Finely Chopped Green Chillies - 1-2 ( optional )
• Turmeric Powder - 2-3 pinches
• Ghee - to drizzle

Directions: 

• In a mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, ajwain, finely chopped dill leaves, chopped green chillies, turmeric powder and knead gently with warm water adding little by little. Add a little oil and make a firm dough . ( How to knead dough  ) 

• Make chapatis out of this prepared dough and sprinkle ghee on both sides and serve with any curry u like.  For detailed process of how to make chapati click here.