Milagu Kozhambu / Pepper Gravy


Milagu kozhambu is one recipe that would fall under so many categories like, instant recipe, pathiya samayal (food as medicine), spicy kozhambu, travel special, post-partum menu etc. So this kozhambu always has a special place in most of our menu cards and comes to the dining table often after a heavy treat. Needless to say, it also stays good in the refrigerator for a week.

This kozhambu will be served on the third day of marriage in Tamil Brahmin's community, i.e on the "Kattu Sadha Koodai". This day, usually in olden times, was the day people who attended the marriage, as well as the new bride and groom, would pack up and leave for their destination. Since they had to travel a long distance, food was usually packed and distributed, hence the name "Kattu Sadha Koodai" (A basket of packed food) which ideally consisted of long-lasting items like Idlis (smeared with Milagai Podi), Puliyodharai, Curd rice with appalams and Vadams (rice/sabudana crackers). And since the previous day would have called for a heavy treat, simple food is usually served on this day to ease the tummies. Milagu Kozhambu invariably does the trick, not compromising on the taste too.

Nowadays for the sake of convenience and time, in most marriages this Kattu Sadhai Koodai day is often opted out. But luckily in our marriage, this was on Saturday; so most of our relatives stayed back and we had the luxury of packing up in a leisure way. And since I was relocating in Chennai, but for some occasional sniffs, none of us were really crying or going through the usual post-marriage-we-will-miss-you thing. ;) Not to mention, we had this Milagu Kozhambu in our menu and V's grand mom indicated me that this is one of V's favorite dishes. I diligently recorded it in my mind, and here I am blogging my DH's fav! :)

Milagu Kozhambu
Pepper and Tamarind gravy for rice

What we need:
Tamarind - a marble sized ball
Pepper - 2 tbsp.
Dhania (Coriander seeds) - 2 tbsp.
Cumin (Jeera) - 2 tbsp.
Red Chilli - 2 or 3
Chana dal (Kadalai Paruppu) - 1 tbsp.
Toor Dal - 1 tbsp.
Asafoetida - 1 tsp.
Curry leaves - a sprig
Sesame /Gingely oil - 2 tbsp.
Mustard - 1 tsp.
Salt - as needed
Water - as needed

How to do:
1. Heat a tsp of Oil in the pan and roast Pepper, Cumin, Dhania, Red Chilli, Chana Dal, Toor dal, half of curry leaves till they emit a nice aroma. Take care not to burn them. Let them cool and blend it to a fine powder.
2. Meanwhile extract the tamarind pulp and set aside.
3. Heat Gingely oil and add the mustard, remaining curry leaves and asafoetida. When it starts to sputter, add the tamarind extract and salt.
4. When it begins to boil, add the ground powder and stir well. Reduce the flame to low-medium and simmer the gravy until it becomes thick and remove from flame.

Serve with rice, mixed with gingely oil and Sutta appalam!

Happy Cooking and happy Blogging!

47 comments:

Kanchan said...

This is similar to rasam naa ? Like side dish with rice... thanks to you getting to learn whole lot of tamil recipes :)

Rohini said...

@ Kanchan: Dear, Rasam is more dilute than the Kozhambu. Rasam = Soup, Kozhambu = Gravy!! Hope that explains. Do try it and you'll know why I raved some much about it :)

Sushma Mallya said...

Nice recipe,must be spicy and looks delicious too

chef and her kitchen said...

hmm thats a yummy one dear..

Chitra said...

My hubby loves this kulambu a lot..i have this post in my archive..have a look at ur free time..will try ur version soon :)

Anupama said...

My recipe is similar to this sans the jeera. I totally understand what you are talking about here.

Jeyashris Kitchen said...

after reading ur post i too went back 10 yrs back,reminded kattusadha koodai during our marriage.
Ur version of milagu kulambhu sounds new.after delivery, my mom used to add garlic pods to it.That also tasted very nice.
hope u enjoyed ur meal with this kulambhu with sweet memories

SE said...

hi rohini...this recipe is so tempting..cant wait to make it...hey and do check my blog..and pick your awards if you dont mind, since you've already have those..

Vidya Rao said...

That sounds like a tongue tickler...and lovely write-up..

Saraswathy Balakrishnan said...

These type of gravy with pepper is a hot favorite of hubby and MIL :)

Sarah Naveen said...

The gravy sounds so peppery ...Pepper is one spice that i use in all the curries i make...
I m sure this tastes excllnt...
Thanx for sharing the recipe...

Preeti Kashyap said...

I make this when ever I am down with fever or cold. This is so comforting to the throat.

Priyanka Navis said...

spicy kulambu.perfect for this weather

Sanghi said...

this is one of my favt da.. looks perfect!

Unknown said...

Looks great rohini and I am sure tastes as good.

chakhlere said...

Looks nice and spicy gravy .
Will taste great with Jeera rice :)

Namitha said...

spicy and yummy kozhambu...:-)Could imagine how it will be with rice and appalam...aha...

kitchen queen said...

Rohini I would like to note down ur version of milagu kuxhambu since my version is different. This is our favourite too.

Priya Suresh said...

SPicy and yummy kuzhambu, one of my real comfort food..

Ria Mathew said...

This is definately something new to me! Looks yumm!

Sh... said...

This is my favorite too. Usually I dont add dhania seeds. Not sure why my mom missed to mention this..:)

Dori said...

That does look really tasty... the color is nice :)

Anonymous said...

RO, u made me think of my amma ..I used to hate it for a long long time until a couple of years ago..this is one of the best dishes to aid u in digestion.

Shivali said...

Yummy my family will surely love this.

Unknown said...

Love them on rainy days.

Anonymous said...

This is something new to me. luv this spicy kozhambu Rohini

Prasukitchen.blogspot.com said...

Loved it Rohini ....
Nice color ...

Raks said...

I love milagu kuzhambu with hot rice and ghee :) Looks mouthwatering!

Unknown said...

milagu kulambu looks delicious :)))

Sreelekha Sumesh said...

Something new..looks very spicy and delicious dear :)

swarna said...

Nice dish during this cold season..
pls do visit my blog..

Mythreyi Dilip said...

This Milagu Kuzhambhu sounds great Rohini, Its very cold here, loved to have with hot steamed rice.

Malar Gandhi said...

Love milagu kuzhambu, good for health...

Unknown said...

kozhambhu looks spicy and delicious.

Padhu Sankar said...

This is my all time favourite Rohini.
Hot steamed rice with molagu kuzhambu is heavenly.

Unknown said...

i saw a similar one at chams place...looks yumm..

Nandinis food said...

I love the spiciness taste of this pepper gravy! Looks delicious!

Ash said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ash said...

Sorry for the delay in joining you... A kolambu again...never tried till date..but all these recipes of kolambu persuade me to try... & I will...

Kindly collect ur awards from my blog,
Ash....
(http://asha-oceanichope.blogspot.com/)

creativemani said...

எனக்கு மிகவும் பிடித்த குழம்புங்க இது...
ரெண்டு-மூன்று நாட்கள் ஆனாலும் கெட்டுப் போகாது...

Ann said...

One of my all time winter fav curry.. looks soo yumm and authentic.

Sreelekha Sumesh said...

Hey Rohini...Collect ur awards dear..

Uma said...

looks so yum. never heard of this before.

Chitchat said...

Thanks Rohini for visiting the site. Good you enjoyed the blogs. This is an awesome kozhambu which comes in handy at all times.

Chitchat
http://chitchatcrossroads.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

I too have a version with garlic, the spicy gravy hmm yum yum with soft hot idlis!

Aparna Vijay said...

Mmmmm..Yummy treat..I love this..

Love
Aparna Vijay
http://vegetarian-dishes.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Good recipe. please do post sum more brahmin recipes.. since that tastes delicious(for me) than other dishes.
Thank u

Regards
Geetha.T