Karkidaka Kanji| Marunnu Kanji| Monsoon Medicinal Porridge| Episode No: 46

Its a medicinal porridge which is usually consumed during Monsoon season in Kerala.All ingredients are available in the local ayurvedic shop.This porridge is prepared with very few ingredients with very less amount.This amount is adequate for 2 to 3 persons.Usually medicinal porridge is prepared in earthen pot.

Ingredients

Rheedi Spring (Family_ Fabaceae) - 2 Nos
Fenugreek seeds - One table spoon
Water - 2 Liters
Oushadha kootu powder - One tablespoon
Navara rice - 2 fistful/ 2 spoon
Cumin seeds - Three fourth table spoon
Garden cress seeds/Halim seeds - Half tablespoon
Grated coconut - 3 tablespoon
Ghee - One teaspoon
Medicinal Powder - Three fourth tablespoon
Rock salt -As per taste


Method of preparation

Keep one earthen pot exclusively for preparing medicinal porridge.
Wash and clean the earthen pot.
Now we need one Rheedi Spring ( Family - Fabaceae ) .
Crush it and take out the seed.
The outer shell of the Rheedi spring is very hard than the coconut shell.
So that its little difficult to crush it.
Once its crushed , soak the seeds in quarter cup of water.
One Rheedi Spring can be used for 5 days while preparing porridge.
So if we have 2 Rheedi Spring , we can make porridge for 10 days.
So that we must have at least 2 Rheedi Springs with us.
After 2 hours of soaking Rheedi Spring seed, grind it without adding water.
The seed become soft after soaking,so it's easy to grind.

You can grind the seed in the small mixi jar.

If Rheedi Spring are not soaked properly , it becomes slippery and will not grind properly 

Divide the grinded porion of Rheedi Spring into 5 portions.

And use one portion among them , refrigerate rest of the portion for the upcoming days.

Its difficult for grinding Rheedi Spring fleshly, everday, due to its small quantity.

So its better to grind one Rheedi Spring fully and divide into 5 portions.

Take one tablespoon full of fenugreek seeds, soak it in quarter cuo of water, soak it until it softens.

Dont soak fenugreek for long time, as it changes its taste.

Take 2 fistful/spoons of Navara rice (Red raw rice ) 

Its always good to prepare medicinal porridge in fire wood.

Keep the earthen pot on the fire and add 2 liters of water.

Add one tablespoon of oushadhakoottu powder to the water.

Oushadhakoottu is available in the ayurvedic shop.

It contains 10 sacred flowers, dasamoolam,sida cordifolia ( Family - Malvaceae),balloonvine and aerva lanata.

Allow it to boil.

Meanwhile wash Navara rice twice under running water.

Navara rice has high medicinal value,which is used for making Navara kizhi.

When water boils, remove from fire and strain water to another vessel.

Medicine powder has been deposited at the bottom of the vessel should be discarded.

Take Anti rheumatic and Anti inflammatory property.

Now add washed and drained Navara rice to it.

This rice is easily digestable , so can be taken by any ages.

Navara rice has lot of vitamins and minerals,moreover it has Bran over to it, which helps to prevent Anaemia.

Also good for preventing Nutritional deficiencies.

Navara rice has only the strained clear water in the pot.

Drain out the soaked water in the fenugreek and add to the boiled water.

Fenugreek seeds are good for relieving back pain.

Add prepared grinded Rheedi Spring to the water.

It has Anti rheumatic and Anti inflammatory property.

Now add washed and drained Navara rice to it.

This rice is easily digestable , so can be taken by any ages.

Navara rive has lot of vitamins and minerals, moreover it has Bran over to it, which helps to prevent anaemia.

Also good for preventing Nutritional deficiencies.

Navara rice has little sweetness which helps to overcome the bitter taste of medicinal powders.

Add three fourth spoon of cumin seeds .

Cumin seeds helps to prevent many lifestyle diseases .

It has lot of Antioxidants , along with Anti bacterial, Antiseptic properties.

Now add half tablespoon of Garden cress seeds /Halim seeds to it.

It increases immunity, reduces indigestion and prevents dry skin.

After adding these ,keep earthen pot over the flame again.

Keep very low flame and bring it to boil.

Don't close the pot, as there is chances of spillage.

Bring it to boil, but don,t allow to spill outside.

Rice will be cooked well after one and half hours.

We like to have more water in the porridge,so we are taking out from it.

Those who don't want lot of water, can keep the pot some more time over the flame.

Take out the porridge from the fire.

Now add 3 tablespoon of grated coconut.

You will get small bites of coconut while having porridge.

Those who doesn't like the bite of grated coconut, can extract its milk by adding some water.

And the coconut milk can be added to the porridge.

Keep an iron pan over the flame and one teaspoon of ghee.

Once ghee gets hot, add three fourth tablespoon of medicinal powder.

This also is available in the local ayurvedic shop.

It consists of 6 types of rice,3 types of cumin seeds,Bey leaf,some medicinal leaves and cannon ball flower.

Add this mixture to the prepared porridge.

Mix well with a wooden spatula and cover with a lid.

After 5 minutes add Rock salt for taste, stir well.

Close with a lid for another 5 minutes and its ready to serve hot.

The porridge has a light black shade as we added certain medicinal powders.

It has a light bitter taste too.

Should be consumed as an alternative during dinner.

You will get 2 bowls of porridge which can be served for 2 to 3 persons.

Majority of the ayurvedic treatments are doing during the month of Karkidakam as per the Malayalam calendar.
That is the month of July to August.
Karkidakam is a month of rejuvenation.
As there is heavy rainfall during the month, the climate is so cool and body also cools.
This is the time where many of them gets arthritis.
So its necessary to take foods that warms your body.
Medicinal porridge will give you warmth, increases immunity and detoxify your body.

Many asks , is the medicinal porridge can be taken during pregnancy.

No side effects has been explained for the porridge by the ancient people.

But still, its good to consult with your Gynecologist for the better advice.
Stay away from diseases and be healthy during this Monsoon season.
You can expect heavy rainfall in Kerala.
Make medicinal monsoon porridge, consume and be healthy.
For best results , better to avoid taking eggs,meat and fish while consuming medicinal porridge,but its not mandatory.
You need to consume porridge for  at least 10 days .
But its ideal to have it during the whole month of Karkidakam.
Make a spoon with the leaves of jack fruit and enjoy the porridge.

Thank you

Dedicated to Mummy



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