Sunday, March 1, 2009

KADHAMBA KUZHAMBU/KOVIL KUZHAMBU WITH A TOUCH TO MY ANCESTRAL ORIGIN

The name itself suggests that it’s a mixed vegetable kuzhambu prepared in temples for prasadham. This is a no onion recipe as prepared mostly for divine purpose. Whenever I think of this Kadhamba Kuzhambu, my mind suddenly traces back to my ancestral origin, Srirangam.

Though I have been there only for short periods during festivals and vacations, it has always occupied a special place in my heart.


Being an ancient temple town, Srirangam is formed as a square. With the Ranganathar temple as the central feature, there are 12 streets marking 12 months of tamil calender around the temple which you cannot find anywhere in India. Festivals and utsavams are regular phenomenon here.

Most houses on these streets are quite old and have a distinct architectural style. The houses are long, really long. The breadth differs, from just five feet across to fifty feet across. A huge verandah or a Thinnai in the front is a common feature. The roads are broad and the houses have open spaces jutting the road. This is usually reserved for decorating with massive but intricate kolams.

I love evenings in Srirangam. Mami’s (Aunty’s) of Srirangam finishes all their house chores and sit in the verandah and used to talk blah-blahs…We can also see groups of people doing Veedhi pradakshinam (procession) reciting slokas and mantras. Srirangam often reminds me of RK Narayan’s Malgudi Days.

Vaikunda Ekadasi is observed here with great fervor and fantasy. Lacks of devotees line up to worship Lord Ranganathar during that time. this festival is celebrated for 20 days as 10 days Pagal patthu (before Ekadasi) and 10 days Rapatthu (after Ekadasi). During that time, temple provides food for the people who comes from other places, however, Srirangam people too will have that food as they consider having that food as divine.

On one such occasion, I visited my granny’s place during Ekadesi festival, we joined my granny to have the divine food. There, I was served this Kadamba sadham (rice). It was really divine, I should say. Such a great food I have never tasted in my life after that. There my love started on this kuzhambu. After that I have insisted my mom many times to prepare this. Whenever she prepares, I definitely do not know how much quantity I intake.

After I have got married, luckily my hubby also got attracted to this kuzhambu and he insists me to prepare this nowadays. I will be preparing this mostly during vritha/festive/amavasai (fasting) days.

Letz go for the recipe now..

INGREDIENTS:

Pumpkin – 100 g (Cut into cubes)

Beans – 50 g (cut in 1 inch long)

Carrot – 50 g (cut in 1 inch long)

Cluster Beans – 50 g (cut in 1 inch long)

Potato – 100 g (peeled and cut into cubes)

Peas (optional) – 1/2 cup

Avarakkai (Valor/Broad Beans) – 50 g

Tomato – 1 medium size (optional)

Tamarind – 1 lemon size (cut into medium 1 inch strips along the width)

Mustard seeds – 1 tsp

Curry leaves – few

Green chilly – 1 or 2

Tumeric powder – 1 tsp

Salt – To taste

TO GRIND

Asafoetida – a small piece

Red chilies – 10 (Adjust according to your taste)

Bengal Gram – 3 tsp

Urad dal – 2 tsp

Toor dal – 2 tsp

Coriander seeds/Dhaniya – 3 tsp

Peppercorn – 1/4 tsp

Fenugreek – 1 tsp

METHOD:

· Heat kadai with little oil and fry the ingredients given in the list “To grind” one by one carefully. Grind this to a fine powder.


· Heat the same kadai with some oil, add mustard seeds and when it splutters, add the curry leaves and green chilly.

· Then add the veggies, salt, and turmeric powder. Mix well and close the kadai with a lid.

· When the veggies are half cooked, add the tamarind extract and let it boil.

· When the veggies have become tender, add the ground powder. Make sure no lumps are formed while adding this to the kuzhambu.

· Mix well and keep it in low flame and let it boil for sometime, say for about 5 minutes.

· Once the kuzhambu has become thicken, remove and serve with hot steamed rice. You can also mix this with cooked rice adding little ghee. A teaspoon of gingely oil while mixing will add a yummy taste to it.

I even add Ulunda Vadais to this kuzhambu whenever I prepare this kuzhambu and Vadai together.

AWARDS:

Anusriram of Chandrabhaga , Malar of Kitchen Tantra - tease your palate have passed “Circle of Friends” Award. Thatz so wonderful to think that I’m in their circle even though 1’m new to blogging world. Thanks dears and I will be in your circle always.

Shama Nagarajan of EASY2COOK RECIPES has passed me the “Blogging with Purpose” Award. So cute that she thought about me and have passed this. You can find the purpose of my blog in my “About Me” buddies…

I would like to pass both these awards to
Viki Xavier, Yasmeen, Sanghi, Adlak’s, Vidhas, Mahimaa, n33ma,, Deesha, Madhu ,., Raji, Madhumathi, sowmya, jeyashrisuresh, and Jaishree.
I would like to contribute this award to my kid, Harivatsan, as when he grew up he will definitely be happy that his mom’s recipes and writings will be with him ever…Of course, thatz the purpose of my blogging..

36 comments:

Shama Nagarajan said...

looks perfect and yummy dear..Congrats for all ur awards

Shama Nagarajan said...

do check this and gv ur suggestions

http://myhandicraftscollection.blogspot.com/2009/03/kids-friendly-crafts-event-round-up.html

Chutneytales said...

Thanks for the lovely comment..do your mom really lives in Chidambaram?Plz do come here..Will prepare fresh podis for you :)
Wonderful write-up of Srirangam..Kadamba sambar is my fav too..we too make them..but i like your version.. it looks yummy!!
Thanks for the award ,dear..And i must say your son looks cute :) ..Touchwood!!

Jeyashris Kitchen said...

a different recipe which i never heard and that too with lots of vegetables. i visited srirangam many times.nice place.i still remember the priest scolded me when i told my son to see the big legs of renganathar,and he told shouldn't say legsinstead"tiruvadi".BTW r son is cute,how old is he?congrats on ur award

Deepthi Shankar said...

very yummy .. looks awesome with rice

Sia said...

what a wonderful and authentic recipe. i have heard abt kadhamba kuzambu from many of my friends but never ventured into trying it. but it may change very soon after going through ur post :)

Priya Suresh said...

Kadamba kuzhambu looks great..congrats on ur award, ur little prince looks so cute.

Vikis Kitchen said...

Congrats on ur awards and thanks for sharing them with me dear.
Kadhamba kulambu/ kovil kulambu .. I have heard of it. But never tasted. As u know very well, I m passionate to collect many veg dishes .. I m bookmarking urs. Eager to try this.
Love that part on SriRangam temple.
Ur post made me have the feeling as if I am visiting there:)
Looking forward for more authentic recipes. sss... appaaa... Ippave kanna kettuthey:)

Yasmeen said...

Another spicy veggieful kuzhambu,love it!.thanks for passing me the thoughtful awards.The little guy will surely be proud of his mom's delectable blog:)

Mahimaa's kitchen said...

bookmarked to try. nice write up about srirangam.. i feel like going there now. i lived in trichy for many years. so we have visited all the temples many times. harivats is very cute...

Sanghi said...

Delicious!! Thanks a lot dear for passing the lovely awards..!:)

Jaishree Iyer said...

Kadamba kuzhambu looks great..very authentic recepie.Congrats for all ur awards.Thanks for sharing with me:) son is looking cute. my lovely kisses & wishes to kid:)

Unknown said...

have to visit srirangam...kozhumbu look delish..

vidhas said...

I also belong to Trichy, i did my college there. (SRC). Very authentic kuzhambhu. Surely will gie a try. Congrats on your award and thanks for passing.

Usha said...

Kozhumbu looks delicious, definitely a must try recipe...Congrats on all your awards!

AnuSriram said...

Looks delicious! Congrats on ur awards! Your son looks cute!

Madhu's cooking gallery said...

Hey Sri, great write up on Srirangam. Wonderful place indeed!..

I have tasted this..but never prepared this at home. nalaiku this is my menu for lunch..thanks for the recipe..authentic one!

BTW, your son, looks adorable!..
Congrats on your awards and thank you very much for passing on the award Sri!

sriharivatsan said...

Thanks Shama, Madhumathi, Deesha, Sia, Priya, Vicky, Yasmeen, Mahi, Sanghi, Jaishree, Sowmya, Vidhas, Usha, Anu, Madhu for your encouraging and lovely comments..

JS, yep this is a different but authentic recipie, i am sure definitely you will like dis. You have been to Srirangam...Oh, thatz a must see place...BTW my son is 1-1/2 years old.

Adlak's tiny world said...

wow wat a gr8 and nice info abt Srrangam koil along with the tasty recipe...now a days u r kallakalo kallara po vidhya...

hey thats yr son.. so cute (he he he ye kovathula palla kadikathe inga sound kekuthu.. summa jolly ku than ketten)

Purva Desai said...

this looks delicious and yumm....

Participate in colourful and fun filled event of Holi

http://purvasdaawat.blogspot.com/2009/03/event-announcement-holi-hai.html

Indian Khana said...

Looks perfect...Congrats on your award dear

Malar Gandhi said...

Congrats on your awards dear. Nice read, very interesting anecdote...

Kadhamba kuzhambu is prepared on spl occasions at my home...once in a blue moon, I too fix it!:)

Deepa Hari said...

Nice writeup...i have been to Srirangam a couple of times...Love the place and temples...Lovely kozhambu dear.

Your son looks very cute...Congrats on your well deserved awards.

Premyscakes said...

Sounds different and yummy too.
cheers.

Sanghi said...

Lovely recipies Sri.. do collect ur awards from my blog :)

Laavanya said...

That sounds so delicious... you have such lovely, authentic recipes here.

Dori said...

Nice post, I really enjoyed reading...Congratulations on your awards... and of course, food sounds awesome!

vidhas said...

Thanks for dropping in janani's blog Vidhya, she felt great.

Preety said...

ya i agree blogging is a nice way to document all our recipes for our kids..enjoy your awards and if possible plz write the english name of the dish also..

amna said...

that's nice and authentic. i have been to srirangam a couple of times too :)

Adlak's tiny world said...

hey darling now i have included yr name in to the list... i wonder how i could forget to add yrs. so sorry da.Thanks for the sweet awards and i m honored.

Swapna said...

Looks perfect & ymmy. Congrag for all ur awards. u deserve it :)

LifenSpice said...

that sure looks like an authentic recipe. The temple looks divine. It was really nice to read through your post. Congrats on the awards!

Chitra said...

hi sri,do collect ur awards from my blog,its waiting 4 u:)

Gayathri said...

Great recipe and i love this temple one of my favie..

Mahimaa's kitchen said...

I tried this today and loved it so much. taste was just like how I had imagined it to be. i will surely make this often. instead of pumpkin, i used capsicum.

thanks for sharing this sri.