Mom's Recipies

Wishing you all a Very HAPPY UGADI (Ugadi Subhakankshalu) May this New Year shower you and your family with Health, Happiness and Prosperity..


Ugadi means Yuga means year and adi means beginning (Begining of new Era) is the new year's day for the people of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.. Marathi people also celebrate the same day as Gudi Padwa..Sindhis, people from Sindh, celebrate the same day as their New Year day Cheti Chand.

The Kannada and Telugu people celebrate the festival with great funfare. Rangoli is made in the front of the home .Entrance of houses are decorated with Mango Leaves. New clothes, gatherings of the extended family and a sumptuous and lip smacking feast like Bobatulu ,Pulihora, vada and preparations made with raw mango etc are prepared .The day, however, begins with ritual showers followed by worship to God invoking his blessings before people start off with the new year. They pray for their health, wealth and prosperity and success in business too. Ugadi is also the most auspicious time to start new ventures.Then people listen to the Panchangam on TV. There are also special Ugadi programs on TV which everyone enjoys seeing them.

Ugadi Pachadi is a must have on the day of Ugadi.All things that go into the pachadi are "new" for the season like raw mangoes , jaggery ,Tamarind etc.The idea behind the Ugadi pachadi is to combine all the 6 Tastes. It Symbolizes the fact that life is a mixture of different experiences (sadness, happiness, Pleasure,sweetness ,pain , and sometimes bitterness) , which should be accepted together with all flavors and equal Balance. Each ingredient of this pacchadi, adds one or more of these tastes..

* Neem Flowers for bitterness
* Raw Mango for tanginess
* Tamarind Juice for sourness
* Green Chilli/ Red Chilli Powder for hotness
* Jaggery for sweetness
* Pinch of Salt for saltiness


Ingredients for Ugadi Pachadi :-

1 Cup -Jaggery ( grated finely)
1 Cup - Raw Green Mangoes (skin peeled, and finely chopped)
3 tbsp -Tamarind Pulp
1 tbsp -Neem Flowers (if not available, substitute with grated bitter gourd or bitter gourd juice )
Salt as per taste
Chilli powder as per taste
Water
1 tbsp Fresh Coconut Finely chopped (Optional)


Method:-

Soak tamarind in water for 1/2 hour.
Then take out tamarind pulp.
Take tamarind pulp in a bowl to it add finely chopped mango pieces ,coconut pieces, grated jaggery,salt ,chilli powder,neem flowers and adjust the taste and the water to your liking and so that you are able to get all the tastes in this mixture.Mix Well till jaggery is melted.
Serve in small bowl or cup.
There are many variations in making ugadi pachadi but the main ingredients (reflecting all the six flavors) are as specified above.. We make it like a drinkable juice consistency .

Tip:-

You can also add small pieces of sugarcane,pieces of ripe banana,finely chopped dry fruits along with the above ingredients.