Vallarai Panagam and Vallarai Neer Mor - Herbal Thirst Quenchers

HERBAL THIRST QUENCHERS FOR 

SRI RAMA NAVAMI

It is time to celebrate Lord Sri Rama's birthday. Panagam and Neer Mor are offered to the Lord and then the thirst quenchers are shared by one and all. As my family  liked the  Ondelaga Kheer which I tried out last week, I was inspired to prepare  Vallarai Panagam / Ondelaga Panaka ( a herbal juice using Centella ) and Vallarai Neer Mor / Ondelaga Tambli - Butter milk with Centella and spice - for this Sri Rama Navami season. Vallarai / Ondelaga has a very appealing flavour and it smells like crushed fresh turmeric and turmeric leaves. It lends a unique  flavour to the customary Panagam and Neer Mor.

VALLARAI PANAGAM / ONDELAGA PANAKA

INGREDIENTS
Centella / Vallarai / Ondelaga - 1/2 bunch

Powdered jaggery -  1/4 cup

Salt - 1 pinch

Cardamom powder - 1 pinch

Juice of one big lime

METHOD

1. Wash Vallarai / Ondelaga  leaves without discarding the tender stems and grind them into a smooth paste adding water.

2. Dissolve jaggery in half a liter of warm water and filter .

3. Boil the jaggery water till it gives out a pleasant aroma.

4. Cool the jaggery water and mix in the Vallarai / Ondelaga paste and salt.

5. Squeeze in the lime juice. More water can be added to adjust the taste.

6. Stir in the cardamom powder and chill the Panagam.

Enjoy the healthy and refreshing Centella herbal juice / Vallarai panagam / Ondelaga panaka topped with ice cubes.

VALLARAI NEER MOR / ONDELAGA TAMBLI 

INGREDIENTS

Centella / Vallarai / Ondelaga - 1/2 bunch

Fresh grated coconut - 1 tbsp

Green chilly ( chopped )- 1/4 tsp

Fresh ginger - ( Peeled and chopped ) - 1/4 tsp

Butter milk - 1/2 liter

Salt - 1/4 tsp

Cumin powder - 1/4 tsp

METHOD

1. Wash the Vallarai/ Ondelaga and grind the herb with coconut gratings, green chilly and fresh ginger into a very smooth paste adding water.

2. Blend the paste with butter milk and mix in the salt. 

3. Stir in cumin powder and chill.

Enjoy the delicious Vallarai Neer Mor / Ondelaga Tambli topped with ice cubes.