MILAGU KUZHAMBU RECIPE | PEPPER KULAMBU

         Black pepper is a spice that has the potential to make the food more beneficial when used in many recipes and as a table spice. It has lot of health benefits with lot of vitamins and anti-oxidants. But when combined with turmeric, its anti-cancer properties increases. Coming to the recipe, this milagu  kulambu is without onion and garlic and very easy to make dish. This kuzhambu is also good for cough and cold. Try this pepper kuzhambu( Pepper in a tamarind sauce) with hot steamed rice and ghee, kootu and appalam as a side dish.

  Serving : 4 People  

  Ingredients

  To Make a Powder
         
          1 Tbsp of Whole Black Pepper
          1 Tsp of Whole Cumin
          1 Tbsp of Toor Dal
          1 Tbsp of Urad Dal
          1/4 Tsp of Fenugreek

   To Temper

            1 Tbsp of Gingelly Oil (Indian Sesame Oil)
            1 Tsp of Mustard Seeds
            1 Tsp of Urad Dal
            Pinch of Asafoetida(Hing)
            Few Curry Leaves          

    Other Ingredients

            1/2 Tsp of Turmeric Powder
            Big Gooseberry Size Tamarind
            Salt to Taste

   
    Method           

• Dry roast all the ingredients listed under " To make powder list" for 2-3 mins until it turns golden brown color and aroma rises. Let it cool down and powder it to a fine powder using spice grinder or mixie.
• Soak the tamarind in hot water for 10 mins, extract the juice from the tamarind and keep this aside.
• Heat a pan with oil, add mustard seeds, urad dal, asafetida and curry leaves, after mustard seeds splutters, add the tamarind juice, bring it to a boil, add turmeric powder and ground pepper mix, mix fast to avoid lumps, add salt, bring it to a boil, simmer it and wait until it gets thick. Once it done, switch off the stove.
• Milagu kulambu is ready to eat with hot steamed rice, kootu and appalam.

   Tips         

• If you want to make this kuzhambu for 2 people, then use 1.5 Tbsp of ground pepper mix.
• If you want more spicy, then add red chillies while tempering.
• You can also add onion and garlic, if you wish.

    Health Benefits of Milagu / Black Pepper 

• Good for cold and cough .
• Improves digestion.
• Heals the cuts and stops the bleeding.
• Helps you to lose weight.
• Relieves Gas.
• Helps to people with anorexia.
• Natural anti-depressant.
• Prevents cancer.