34 UGADI PACHADI

Ugadi is a New year festival for Telugu and Kannada people. Also called as Gudi padva in Maharashtra.

Option 1 of making pachadi. See below for option 2.



Ugadi pachadi is a combination of 6 tastes/flavors( Shadrachulu) each standing for a special character a man experiences in life. That is salty, spicy, tangy, bitter, sour and sweet. The significane of making this pachadi is for us to understand that life is a mixture of all emotions, good /bad/happy/sorrow and we have to face each one equally.


In Karnataka it is called as Bevu Bella where fresh neem leaves are mixed with jaggery pieces.

1.Salt - 1/2 tsp - For Saltness( Uvarppu)- To represent scareness
2.Red chilli powder/or Black Pepper powder - 1/4 tsp( Spicy/Hot) ( Kaaram)- To represent Angry
3.Raw Mango - Few cut into small pieces - For Tanginess( Pulippu)- To represent excitement.
4.Neem flowers(or can use Methi seeds) - 2 tsp - For Bitterness( Kasappu)- To represent sorrow.
5.Tamarind( or can use Lemon Juice) - One small lime size- For Sour( Thuvarppu) - To represent Mischieveness.
6.Jaggery(or can use Honey or Sugar) - 2 - 3 tbsp - For Sweetness ( Inippu)- To represent Happiness.

Soak tamarind in water for 20 minutes and extract a dilute pulp . Mix in jaggery until it melts. Add mango pieces, salt and chilli powder. Mix well and add neem flowers. Mix and have a tbsp or 2 .

Option 2 of making pachadi.


The other way is cooking this like a thokku/pickle.With the same above ingredients we need additionally a tbsp of oil preferably gingelly oil. Few mustard seeds and curry leaves and a pinch of hing/asafoetida.


Heat oil in a pan and add mustards seeds, curry leaves and hing. When it crackles add the tamarind pulp and allow it to boil and reduce in volume. Add mangao pieces and cook for sometime. Next add salt and chilli powder and mix. Then add jaggery and stir in for few minutes until it gets little thick. Finally add the neem flowers( First dry roast seperately and then add).
If you do not have neem flowers, then add few methi(fenugreek) seeds in the oil itself before pouring in tamarind pulp.


Usually my mom sends in a batch of dry neem flowers mainly to prepare neem flower rasam. So it comes in handy anytime I want to make use of it.

Tomorrow is Ugadi( New year for Telugu and Kannada people). Will post in my Ugadi feast pictures tomorrow.


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24 OMA WATER

Omam in Tamil. Carom Seeds in English. Ajwain in Hindi.


Using oma water is a simple home remedy in many households to relieve us from stomach pain. Normally this water was given to us on a regular basis no matter if we had a pain or not. Though it has a strong smell and flavor it is very good to have and really soothes us very soon.

To know more about these seeds click here.


Omam is a seed which looks very similar like cumin seeds, but little short and flat. Has a very good aroma. These seeds are good to have to when we have stomach pain, or suffer from acidity and heart burn. Relieves and soothes from the pain.

Ajwain seeds - 2 tsp
Water - 1 cup

Dry roast the seeds in a pan or microwave until you get a very nice aroma. I used the microwave and set it just for 45 seconds.

Take the seeds and water in a sauce pan and boil it well till it reduces to half the amount. Leave it alone and strain the water using a tea filter.


Take a tbsp of water whenever needed when you are having severe stomach pain, acidity/ heartburn due to indigestion.
Can be given to kids and adults. Back home they also used to give to babies above 9 months.

Sending this to Ruchika cooks event for Home remedies started by Muskaan and Sadhana of A2Z Vegetarian Cuisine.



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35 CAPSICUM DHAL

Capsicum( Bell Pepper) Dhal( Paruppu/Pappu)


Dhal - 3/4 cup (can use toor dhal or masoor dhal)
Onion - 1 medium chopped fine
Capsicum - 1 big chopped into thin stripes
Garlic - 3 flakes sliced thinly
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Chilli powder - 1 tsp
Coriander powder - 1 tsp
Kitchen king masala - 1/4 tsp
Salt as needed
Oil - 1 - 1 1/2 tbsp
Lemon/lime juice - 1 tbsp
Coriander leaves chopped - for garnishing
Mustard seeds/ urad dhal and cumin seeds - very little of each
A simple dhal with capsicum. Goes well with rice and or chapathi.


I like masoor dhal a lot so have used masoor dhal. Wash and cook dhal till soft. Keep it aside. If using toor dhal then cook in a pressure cooker for 2 - 3 whistles.


Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds, urad dhal and cumin. Wait for few seconds and add chopped onion and fry till light brown. Next add sliced garlic and fry for another 2 - 3 minutes. Next add capsicum slices. Fry well for another 3 - 4 mts. Add all the powder and mix once. Immediately add the cooked dhal along with salt. Add water if needed according to thickness needed and cook till it comes up to a boil. Reduce flame and cook for 2 - 3 minutes. Remove and add lime juice and garnish with chopped coriander leaves.


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