Majjiga Charu ~ Spiced Buttermilk

We, like most South Indians are very dependent on buttermilk. I for one cannot imagine a meal complete without curds or buttermilk. The ever popular 'coolant' is as humble as it can be.  

Most of you might know that buttermilk can be transformed into many delicious dishes. The most popular one is the Majjiga Pulusu (Kadhi). 

Buttermilk is often used to make many breakfast recipes, snacks and also used in baking. But here it is just spiced up and mixed in rice to be part of  a hearty meal!!

I understand that there are multiple recipes for majjiga charu and each region has a different name to this recipe. This is how my mom makes and we love it!!

Ingredients - 

Buttermilk 2 cups (Sour buttermilk is ideal)
Putana/Roasted Gram 3 Tbsp
Ginger 1/2 inch
Green Chillies 1-2 (as per taste)
Coriander leaves handful
Coconut grated 2 Tbsp
Turmeric a pinch 
Salt as needed
Seasoning (Oil/Ghee 1 tsp, Urad Dal 1/2 tsp, Jeera 1/2 tsp, Mustard seeds 1/2 tsp, Dry Red Chilli 1, Curry leaves few, Hing)

Method Of Preparation - 

Powder the putana/roasted gram/putnala pappu into a fine powder.

Grind ginger, green chillies, coriander leaves and coconut. Set aside.

Blend the roasted gram powder, the above said ginger mixture and 1/2 cup of buttermilk so that there are no lumps. 

Transfer the above contents into a mixing bowl and add the remaining buttermilk, salt and turmeric.

If needed add a little sugar and check for the taste.

In a heated sauce pan, add oil and the remaining seasoning ingredients. After the mustard seeds pop and the rest of the dals brown, remove from fire and add this seasoning to the buttermilk mixture.

Serve this spiced buttermilk with Rice or Pulao / Biryani or if it is mildly spiced, just gulp it down!!


Preparation time 10 min 
Serves 2-3