Neer mor, Panagam and Vada Paruppu (Sri Rama Navami Recipes) ~ Day 92

Sri Rama Navami is a Hindu festival, celebrating the birth of Lord Rama.  The following recipes are traditionally prepared on that day and offered to Lord Rama.

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Ingredients:

For the Neer Mor:

• Yogurt - 1/4 cup
• Water - 2 cups
• Lemon juice - 2 tsp
• Salt - to taste
• Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Ginger - 1 tsp, finely grated
• Green chili - 1, chopped
• Asafoetida - a pinch
• Curry leaves - few
• Oil - 1 tsp

Method:

1. Whisk the yogurt in 2 cups of water along with lemon juice and salt.
2. Heat oil in a small skillet.  Splutter mustard seeds.  Add the ginger, asafoetida, and curry leaves.
3. Add it to the buttermilk and whisk to combine.

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For the Panagam:

• Jaggery powder - 1/2 cup
• Water - 2 cups
• Dry ginger powder / Sukku podi - 1/4 tsp
• Cardamom powder - 1/8 tsp
• Lemon juice - 1 tbsp

 Method:

1. Soak the jaggery in water for 10 minutes.  Once the jaggery is melted, strain to remove impurities.
2. Add the lemon juice, ginger powder, and cardamom powder.  Mix well.

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For the Vada Paruppu:

• Split moong dal - 1 cup
• Green mango - 1/4 cup, finely chopped
• Cucumber - 1/4 cup, finely chopped
• Green chilies - 3, chopped
• Grated fresh coconut - 2 tbsp
• Lemon juice - 1 tbsp
• Salt - to taste
• Oil - 1 tsp
• Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Asafoetida - a pinch
• Curry leaves - few
• Coriander leaves / Cilantro for garnishing

Method:

1. Soak split moong dal in enough water for 1 hour. Drain well.
2. Add the green chilies, green mango, cucumber,  grated coconut, lemon juice, coriander leaves,and salt.  Mix well.
3. Heat oil in a skillet and splutter mustard seeds.  Add curry leaves and asafoetida.
4. Add it to the moong dal mixture and mix well.