PAZHAYA SORU
Pazhaya soru or fermented rice is an ancient food of India. It has a history of more than thousand years. It is a popular dish all over India, but is identified under different names. In Tamilnadu, we call it as pazhaya soru, which translates to pazhaya (old) and soru (rice).
Agriculture has been our main occupation for ages. Almost every person in India, or even someone, who lives in the city right now, will probably have an ancestral connection to farming. Pazhaya soru is actually a lifesaver for the farmers.
Pazhaya soru has a natural body cooling properties. Since farmers works all day, under the hot sun, they take pazhaya soru for breakfast, which eventually helps them to maintain their body, from the excess heat.
Pazhaya soru is a good source of probiotics, and also helps in improving digestion. It is a great Immunity booster too.
ABOUT THE RECIPE:
Pazhaya soru is usually made with leftover rice, which is allowed to ferment overnight. Few ingredients like curd, shallots and green chillies are added to the fermented rice, which enhances the taste, and also has their own health benefits, which, when combined together, gives all the essential nutrients for the dish.
INGREDIENTS FOR PAZHAYA SORU:
- LEFTOVER RICE – 1 CUP
- WATER – 2 CUPS
- ROCK SALT – AS REQUIRED
- CURD – 4 TBSP
- GREEN CHILLIES(THINLY SLICED) – 1 NO
- SHALLOTS(PEELED) – 10 NOS
HOW TO MAKE PAZHAYA SORU:
- In a bowl add 1 cup of leftover rice.
- Add 2 cups of water to the rice, close it, and let it rest overnight.
- The fermented rice will be ready in the morning.
- Add the curd, salt, shallots and green chillies to the fermented rice, and mix everything well.
*Mixing it with bare hands is more preferable, than using any spoons or ladles.
YUMMY, HEALTHY AND DELICIOUS PAZHAYA SORU IS READY.
SERVE IT WITH PICKLE AND VATHAL( FOR VEGETARIAN) OR KARUVADU THOKKU AND SUNDA MEEN KULAMBU( FOR NON VEGETARIAN).
THIS TIME I CHOSE VEGETARIAN. I HAD MY PAZHAYA SORU WITH MANGO PICKLE AND KOTHAVARANGAI VATHAL.
VARIATIONS:
- Adding shallots and green chillies is optional. You can avoid it if you don’t like it.
- Normal diced onions can also be added, instead of shallots.
- A side dish is not mandatory. It can be had without a side dish.
- Any kind of fryums or pickles or curries goes really well with pazhaya soru.
NOTE:
Since pazhaya soru has body cooling properties, it is not a recommended recipe for people with sinusitis or asthma problems.
Is curd the same as yogurt? Can yogurt be used as a substitute for yogurt?
Both curd and yogurt are made with milk and they do taste similar. But, they have different method of preparation. Their texture and the consistency varies.
Yes, yogurt can surely be used as a substitute for curd. Plain/ unflavoured yogurt can be used.