Morkuzhambu is a yogurt based spicy, tangy gravy is out of the world and is served with rice. In our homes, we make this for most of the festivals. And this is a must in weddings too. Any important occasion, the menu is incomplete without morkuzhambu. Also, when you have excess yogurt becoming sour, this is an option to make. This can be had as a soup (I like to have this way) as such too, if you want to cut the carbs.
Usually, winter melon, chayote squash, okra, or bhendi are used as veggies. Sometimes we make parupurundai morkuzhambu too.
We make this for Pongal festivals, auspicious Friday's, Sri Ramanavami, Tamil New Year, Sri Krishna Jayanthi, Navratri, Karthigai, and on many regular days too. Here is Sri Ramanavami thali with this morkuzhambu.
This is simple to make. Just keep in mind not to boil after adding the beaten yogurt. It will curdle. When the first boil comes, switch it off and take it off the flame.
Similar yogurt based gravy is popular all over India. This is a flavor from Tamil Nadu, India. I am linking this for Srivalli's Blogging Marathon 120 - Festival Foods.
Ingredients
Winter melon - 2 cups, 2-in dices
Water - 3 cups
Salt - 1 tsp
Sour yogurt - 1/2 cup
Cilantro for garnish
To Grind
Coconut - 3 tbsp
Green chili - 3 to 5
Chana dal - 1 tsp
Toor dal - 1 tsp
To roast
Oil - 1 tsp
Whole urad dal - 1 tsp
Coriander seeds - 1 tsp
Fenugreek - 1/2 tsp
To temper
Oil - 1 tsp
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Asafoetida - 1/4 tsp
Curry leaf - 1 sprig
Method
Soak toor dhal and chana dal in water for 20-30 minutes. Heat 1 tsp oil in a pan. Fry the urad dhal, coriander seeds, and fenugreek seeds till golden brown. Set aside to cool. Grind this along with coconut, green chilies, and the soaked dhal. Add yogurt little by little and grind to a smooth paste.
Cook the winter melon in 1.5 cups water for 8-10 min or until crisp tender. Add salt and simmer for 2 min. Reduce the flame, add turmeric powder and the ground yogurt-spices-coconut paste. Add 1 and 1/2 cup water. Mix thoroughly. When it begins to boil, switch off the flame.
Heat oil in a pan. Add the red chilies. mustard. curry leaves, and asafoetida. Add this tempering to the morkuzhambu.
Serve this with rice and drizzle of coconut oil. Or serve along with dal rice.
rajani says
Mor kuzhambu is my husband’s favorite dish. The full meal platter looks so delicious.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
More kuzhambu is my favorite and the poosinikkai is just perfect for it. My boys love it and eat the vegetable like chocolate.
Srivalli says
We always made mor kuzhambu with bhindi..though we do try it with poosinikkai..this veggie gives a wonderful taste to the dish..
Narmadha says
Mor kuzhambu looks so flavorful and tempting. Freshly grounded masala looks so different and I am tempted to try this tomorrow itself.