Thursday, May 30, 2013

Spice Rack Remedies! A Case for Coriander

Dear Aalayam family!

Onward we go..humbled by your love, support and reassurance - We are on the anvil of our 50th post!! Deepa and I take a moment to say THANK YOU!!  We love the creative process that goes on in our minds and through our inkwells to bring gorgeous and much loved features for Aalayam, and YOU are a huge part of it! So THANK YOU!  

What is any momentous event without some food eh? So, in continuation of the popular series of house hold spices and their curative properties, we introduce the Quintessential Coriander in....

Spice Rack Remedies! 
What our kitchen counter might hold, to cure what ails us.
Coriander seeds reign supreme in Indian households, used as the primary spice to flavor curries and stews. Photo courtesy - Sripriya Murthy Photography - Facebook.

Coriander (known as cilantro in its herb form) is a powerful bacteria fighter. The oil from coriander seeds destroys dangerous cells by damaging their membranes and interfering with cellular respiration. This process is effective in wiping out strains of E.coli and salmonella. Coriander, like many spices, contains antioxidants, which can delay or prevent the spoilage of food seasoned with this spice. Coriander has also been used as a folk medicine for the relief of anxiety and insomnia. 

My personal recipe book full of handwritten treasures from around my family!

Coriander seeds are used in traditional Indian medicine as a diuretic by boiling equal amounts of coriander seeds and cumin seeds, then cooling and consuming the resulting liquid. In holistic and traditional medicine, it is used as a carminative and as a digestive aid (Now, as a mommy who has given her daughters Woodwards Gripe Water for many a tummy ache situation, I can vouch for that!). Does that ring a bell? Most of Amma's family recipes had coriander, no wonder our tummies are so healthy and strong! Don't you think?

Coriander seeds were found, in a study on rats, to have a significant lowering of levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides, and increasing levels of high-density lipoprotein. This effect appeared to be caused by increasing synthesis of bile by the liver and increasing the breakdown of cholesterol into other compounds.


It is no wonder that, most of us who have been consuming coriander in Rasams, Sambars, Puliyogare, Curry and other delectable Indian dishes find the curative properties of coriander familiar and oddly reassuring! And when combined with the "hot"  pain killing, blood pressure reducing and blood circulation boosting properties of the Indian Red Chili, they very well might lead the way as the spicy dynamic duo of disease fighting!

Red Chillies with curative capsacin are a staple spice combination with  coriander . Photo courtesy - Sripriya Murthy Photography - Facebook.
Now, lets prepare something comforting and familiar with these spices shall we? And make coriander the star of the show? How many of you know of and have enjoyed the tangy confluence of sweet and spice, lending itself to decorate many a South-Indian platter - Puliyogare? 

Puliyogare ( puḷi "sour" + ogara "rice" is a South Indian rice preparation served during festive occasions  served in temples in abundant quantities in organic cups and plates made of dried leaf! Puliyogare is also known as puḷihora ("sour rice" in Telugu) or pulinja in Tamil, and tamarind rice in English.

Turning the pages of my recipe book...with handwritten recipes from my Amma and Nana.
Puliyogare is traditionally made using cooked rice mixed with tamarind juice, peanutscoriandercoconutred chilicurry leavesjaggerypeppermustard seedsfenugreekturmericasafoetidaurad dal, and cumin. It is a staple during festivals such as Ganesha Chaturthi and Diwali or any other ceremonious occasion. 

Wonderful recipes for Puliyogare and Puliyogare Gojju (the zesty sauce to be mixed with rice for instant gratification!) can be found dime a dozen on the internet! So, I encourage you to try your own version today!!

Black Pepper seeds add that serious smoky bite to most South Indian dishes. Photo courtesy - Sripriya Murthy Photography - Facebook.
Puliyogare is particularly known to be a specialty of the Iyengars community, and some of the best Puliyogare is made using my Amma's recipe for it! 

As I sit leafing through the recipe book, remembering fondly the lunch boxes with Karnataka style and Andhra style Puliyogare...."peppering" in my school and college days with fond memories..my friends vying for "Dabba swap" whenever I had Puliyogare for lunch.....I sigh..as I strive to ensure that the joys of  these traditional menu items may not be lost with my generation..Hope my kids find my recipe book valuable one day..that captures the hand-written love passed on from one generation to another...

The Classic Puliyogare - a mouthwatering must in a South Indian meal!
I remember the day when my best buddy and I had copious amounts of Puliyogare with glasses of wine to accompany our Sex and the City marathon on TV! Wow - what a combination and what fun!!

Do you have any fond food stories like this that make you smile? Memories so intertwined with your taste buds that whenever you eat a certain dish, positive associations come flooding back? Hope this spicy story was a good read for you! It definitely was a comforting walk down the memory lane for me!

Love,
Supriya

12 comments:

  1. mavinakayee chitranaa..:) Loved the post!

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  2. Ooh Yumm!!! I love Mavinkayee Chitranna too!!

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    1. Loved the post. Made me want to go back home to eat Puliyogre. I love your handwritten recipe book (Esp, Nana's handwriting in it)! Also, thank you for featuring my photographs!
      I dedicated a photo to you guys.
      Check it out here : https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=464902846930215&set=a.396556630431504.100861.104917162928787&type=1&theater

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  3. Sripriya - thank you so much for this! Aalayam family, Sripriya Murthy Photography on Facebook is a sight for sore eyes! Please do visit if you are a photography fan.

    I just might make some recipes from my book this weekend!

    Love,
    Supriya

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  4. Lovely article supriya! I love the way you tell your stories in a way that brings images to ones mind. Well written article..:)

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  5. Thank you so much Sangeetha! Your feedback means a lot. I always remember reading in my childhood, and building this whole new world in my head, just with the images the words evoked! I am delighted that my writing makes a dent at that trait!

    Love,
    Supriya

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  6. How cool is that hand written recipe book Supriya...so envy. Beautiful post as usual :)

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  7. Great going. Your blog is coming up really well. Congrats on the milestone. I am hosting a giveaway via Arcadian home on my blog. Do drop by and enter if you like it :) Take care Anu

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  8. Nayana - thank you so much! That recipe book is my way to preserve some loving family memories and the heritage associated with it! Touched by your feedback.

    Love,
    Supriya

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  9. Anu,

    Thank you so much for visiting and for your feedback! Your giveaway looks lovely! Will be sure to participate.

    Love,
    Supriya

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  10. Beautiful photography! I made puliyogare last night and my American born son LOVES it! Hope it will be passed on to future generations. PS: I love maavinakaayi chitranna too a lot! mouthwatering!

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  11. Thank you so much rkramadh. Evocative pictures just make food more appetizing, inspires one to cook and eat!! I can attribute many unwanted pounds to my love of food photography and cooking :/ Puliyogare is an all time favorite in our household as well. Do you make hasi mavinkai chitranna or rubbihaki madidda chitranna?

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