Spicy Buttermilk

Buttermilk is a probiotic food. Buttermilk is also a great source of calcium, phosphorus, potassium and B12 . Buttermilk improves digestion. It is useful in the treatment of digestive disorders, gastro-intestinal disorders, lack of appetite, anaemia, spleen disorders and inflammation. Little or no fat buttermilk is highly beneficial in Winter. Curd and full-fat buttermilk have cooling effect, so they are beneficial in Summer. 

Preparation: 

• Beat the curd/yogurt. I used home made curd. Add an equal quantity of cool water and salt to taste. Beat well. You can add more water if you like it thinner. I add more water.
• Crush the ginger, shallot, green chilly and curry leaves. Add this to the buttermilk. Stir well. If you have fresh lime/lemon leaves tear it and add it to the butter milk for added flavor. 
• If you want you can pass this drink through a sieve before serving. Otherwise also it is very good.
• Enjoy this refreshing drink on a hot summer day. 

*Ingredients: 

Curd/ Yogurt - 1/2 cup 

Cool water - 1/2 cup + more 

Salt to taste 

Green chilly - 1 small or cut a one inch piece from a bigger one. 

Ginger - 1/4 inch piece 

Shallot -1 

Curry leaves - 2 or 3 leaves 

Lime/ lemon leaves - 1 (optional) 

*For a Single serving 

Shallot Chutney and Wheat flour Dosa

Shallots are part and parcel of Kerala cuisine. They contain more anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals than onion and garlic. Shallots contain proteins, dietary fiber, Vitamin C, A, B6, potassium, folate and manganese. They are rich in flavanoids and polyphenolic compounds.

Preparation:

• Soak red chillies in hot water for 15 minutes.
• Grind the red chillies, shallots, tamarind and salt. At first it will appear coarse. Add water little by little and grind until you get a smooth paste. 
• Transfer to a bowl. Adjust the salt. 
• Add the coconut oil. Mix.
• Serve with idly/dosa/ boiled tapioca, sweet potato etc. 

Ingredients: 

Dry red chilly - 5 - 6 (less hot variety preferably) 

Shallots - 6 - 7 peeled 

Tamarind - Half inch square piece/1/2 teaspoon 

Salt to taste 

Coconut oil - 1 tablespoon 

Wheat Flour Dosa 

• Add the wheat flour into a deep bowl. Add the salt and water. Using a spoon, mix into smooth batter. Set aside for 15 minutes. 
• Heat a tawa on medium flame. Smear it with a very thin film of oil. If there is too much oil it will be difficult to spread out the dosa. Pour a spoon full of batter and spread it out, not too thin. Allow to cook on medium-low flame. Once one side is cooked well, flip and cook the other side. Be patient. 
• Serve wheat flour dosa, hot/warm/cold. It is a very soft dosa.

Ingredients:

Wheat flour - 11/2 cups 

Water - 2 cups (+ little more, if needed ) 

Salt to taste 

Oil - little, for smearing on the tawa