Majjige Neeru | Spiced ButterMilk | Masala Majjige

"Majjige Neeru" or "Spiced Buttermilk" is a traditional beverage made during festivals especially for Sri Rama Navami festival, celebrating the birth of Lord Rama. It is also a summer refreshing drink. It helps to cool off body on a hot sunny day.

I learnt this recipe at my maternal grandparents house where I spent my summer vacations here. Me and my cousins used to help our mothers in kitchen in making lemonade and buttermilk in mid mornings. We learnt how to make butter and buttermilk in traditional way using rope and a butter churner tied to a pole. I miss those days, just leave behind our memories. 

The recipe is simple and very easy.

Ingredients

1 cup yogurt

2 cups water

1 Green Chili, minced

1 sprig of Curry leaves

1 sprig of Cilantro

1 small piece of Ginger, grated

1/2 tsp Salt

Method

Method 1 -

• In a pot , mix water and yogurt. Use a butter churner to churn. Churn for 2- 5 minutes
• Crush green chili, curry leaves, cilantro, & ginger. Add it to the buttle milk. Adjust salt as per taste and mix well
• Strain the butter milk and discard if any thing is left in strainer
• Refrigerated for 1 hour. Serve chilled

or

Method 2-

• In a blender, add water, yogurt, green chili, curry leaves, cilantro, ginger, cumin seeds and salt. Blend for 1 or 2 pulses
• Strain the butter milk and discard if any thing is left in strainer
• Refrigerated for 1 hour. Serve chilled