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A tangy and savory South Indian yogurt-based curry, traditionally made with a ground coconut and spice paste. This comforting dish, often featuring ash gourd, is cooked gently to prevent curdling and finished with a classic tempering. It's a perfect light and flavorful accompaniment to steamed rice.
For 4 servings
Grind the Spice Paste
Cook the Ash Gourd
Prepare the Yogurt Base
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A tangy and savory South Indian yogurt-based curry, traditionally made with a ground coconut and spice paste. This comforting dish, often featuring ash gourd, is cooked gently to prevent curdling and finished with a classic tempering. It's a perfect light and flavorful accompaniment to steamed rice.
This south_indian recipe takes 35 minutes to prepare and yields 4 servings. At 142.8 calories per serving with 2.43g of protein, it's a moderately challenging recipe perfect for lunch or dinner.
Combine and Simmer Gently
Prepare the Tempering (Tadka)
Finish and Serve
Replace ash gourd with other vegetables like sautéed okra (vendakkai), chayote squash (chow chow), or yellow pumpkin. Ensure okra is fried first to remove its sliminess.
A festive variation where you add pre-made and soaked medu vadas (lentil fritters) to the finished kulambu. Let them soak for 15-20 minutes before serving.
For a slightly different flavor profile, omit coriander seeds and add a pinch of fenugreek powder. Some variations also use ripe mango or pineapple instead of vegetables for a sweet and sour taste.
The primary ingredient, curd (yogurt), is a natural probiotic that introduces beneficial bacteria to the gut, aiding digestion and improving overall gut flora.
Both yogurt and ash gourd are known in Ayurveda for their cooling properties, making this dish particularly comforting and suitable for warm weather.
Spices like ginger, cumin seeds, and hing (asafoetida) are well-known for their digestive properties, helping to prevent bloating and indigestion.
Ash gourd has very high water content (about 96%), making it extremely hydrating. The dish is light and low in calories, making it a good choice for a balanced meal.
A single serving of Mor Kulambu (approximately 1 cup or 220g) contains an estimated 160-190 calories. This can vary based on the type of yogurt (full-fat vs. low-fat) and the amount of oil used.
Yes, Mor Kulambu is considered a healthy dish. It is light, low in calories, and rich in probiotics from the yogurt, which is great for gut health. The use of ash gourd adds hydration and nutrients, and the spices offer digestive benefits.
Curdling is the most common issue. It usually happens for three reasons: 1) The heat was too high after adding the yogurt. 2) The yogurt was not whisked properly and had lumps. 3) Low-fat yogurt was used, which is more prone to splitting. Always use low heat and stir continuously.
While traditional Mor Kulambu relies on a ground coconut paste for its flavor and texture, you can make a variation without it. Increase the amount of besan slightly (to 1.5 tbsp) to thicken the curry. The taste will be different but still enjoyable.
Besides ash gourd, you can use okra (vendakkai), chayote squash (chow chow), bottle gourd (sorakkai), or yellow pumpkin (parangikai). You can also add sun-dried fritters (vathal) for a different texture.
You can store leftover Mor Kulambu in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat it very gently on low heat, stirring occasionally. Do not bring it to a boil.