SAMBHARAM - NADAN MORU/SPICED BUTTERMILK

     Summer is around the corner, the emanating heat makes us all run helter-skelter in search of some source to cool down our body and system.  Our ancestors have had their own way to tackle the seasons, maybe Summer or Winter the food and regime followed by them were so much down to earth. They lived a life so close to nature that their lifestyle was precisely healthy - sticking on to the rule "FOOD AS MEDICINE".
      On the long run, a whole generation has traveled apart from the system where simple home dishes and living style lost its shine and had been stored in some age-old casket deep inside the name of tradition.  To be dusted and re-incarnated only to be gilded briefly during festivities.  Recent revelation and search for a healthy lifestyle have banged the new generation only to realize that it is a matter of time to bring back the long lost knowledge to live along with NATURE. This recipe Sambharam/Neer Mor/ Masala Majjige /Chaas is one drink traditionally served in an Indian household as a Drink or had along with rice to finish off the meal.
     Sambharam/Pacha Moru/ Morum Vellam/Nadan Moru - are all colloquial names for Spiced Butter Milk drink in 'GODS OWN COUNTRY - KERALA'.  Yoghurt/Curd is churned using a Thayir Mathu/beaten finely in a blender along with Green Chillies, Ginger, Curry Leaves & Lemon Leaves. The herbs add an extraordinary flavour to the drink giving an overall refreshing feel and instantly cools down our body.
      It is a common practice in a Malayali household to serve Sambharam when somebody comes home during hot weather. It is a cool and energizing drink for hot summer days. Sambharam/Pacha Moru/ Morum Vellam/Nadan Moru is a famous drink and also an unavoidable part of 'KERALA SADHYA'. It is commonly served at the end of the meal/banquet. It helps you to feel refreshed after a heavy meal and aids digestion too.  It is also one drink served as a Naivedyam during Rama Navami.
      It also goes by several names depending on the states in India, like Neer Mor or Masala Mor, Masala Majjige, Chaas, etc. Almost all the States use similar ingredients in their versions of Spiced Buttermilk Drinks. The choice of spices and herbs to be added into this is totally your choice.  I have given the ingredients which are traditionally added in a Sambharam.  Some add Shallots along with other ingredients. Mint or Coriander Leaves can also be added to this drink for a twist. LASSI - is yet another sweeter and richer version of the same drink popular in India

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Cuisine : Kerala (South India)
Recipe Type : Drink
Difficulty : Easy
Serves : 3 - 4
Author : SM  

Preparation Time : 3 -5 Minutes


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INGREDIENTS :

Curd/Yogurt - 1 Cup
Ginger - 1/2" Piece
Green Chillies - 2 Nos.
Curry leaves _ 2 Sprigs
Lemon / Lime leaves - 3 Leaves
Cold Water - 2 to 3 Cups
Salt - To Taste

METHOD :

• Slightly pound Ginger & Green Chillies.  Alternatively can finely chop them too.
• Finely shred Curry Leaves and Lemon Leaves into small pieces.
• Churn Yoghurt/Curd with a Thayir Mathu or in a blender for few minutes.
• Pour in the Cold Water and churn it again.
• Add pounded Ginger and Green Chillies along with Curry Leaves and Lemon Leaves to the Buttermilk*.
• Add Salt to taste and mix well.
• Sambharam/Pacha Moru/ Morum Vellam/Nadan Moru is ready.

NOTES :

• Use fresh(not so sour) Curd/Yoghurt for the purpose.
• Do not leave the Sambharam at room temperature for a long time, this may make the drink sour.
• Can serve Sambharam/Pacha Moru/ Morum Vellam/Nadan Moru at room temperature immediately.
• If you prefer it cool store it in the refrigerator for few hours before serving.
• Can be served as a drink, or it can also be added to rice instead of Curd/Yoghurt.
• Sambharam/Pacha Moru/ Morum Vellam/Nadan Moru makes a very good drink on a sunny day.
• Can add few Shallots along with other ingredients.

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Buttermilk*  
     Traditionally buttermilk is nothing but the thin milk left behind once the butter or cream is churned out of Fresh Cream.  But it also refers to naturally fermented Milk in some countries.  In India, Buttermilk is a mixture of Yoghurt/Curd and Water.  Buttermilk has a characteristically intense sour and putrid taste caused by lactic acid bacteria, which ferments the milk.  This Lactobacillus is good for your gut.