Recipe for Poondu Kanji

A special Kanji which is to be taken once in a month to solve gastric troubles. This is a dish from Tirunelveli District.

Ingredients:
Boiled Rice - 1 cup
Garlic - 3 to 4 depending upon the size
Methi seeds - 1 tsp
Saarana root powder - 2 tsps
(This you can get it from siddha or naatu marunthu stores. Blend it in a mixer and store in freezer. If you dont get this powder, you can leave it too)
Raw milk - 1/2 cup
Water - 3 cups
Murungai leaves - handful (optional)

Method:
In a pressure cooker, take rice, garlic and methi seeds. In a muslin cloth take the Saranaa powder, make it a bag and add it to the rice in cooker. Add 3 cups of water and cook it for 2 whistles. In a separate vessel, pressure cook the murungai leaves too. When cool remove the bag and mash the rice well.

Add the cooked murungai leaves (dont throw away the water, but add it too to the rice). Add milk and cook for 5 mins in low flame. This can be served with Coconut Thuvaiyal.
 
Note: The whole day after taking this Kanji, tamrind is to be avoided and if at all needed, tomato is to be added.

Recipe for Puzhungalarisi Kanji - Boiled rice Rawa Porridge

When ever some one falls ill and runs high temperature, the first diet elders advice to give them is Puzhungalarisi Noi Kanji.

This is also a good first food for infants.

Ingredients:
Boiled rice - 4 cups
Pottu Kadalai or processed bengal gram - 1 cup
Moong Dal - 1 cup
Jeera - 1/4 cup

Method:
Soak Boiled rice in water after washing it for about 2 hours. Drain the water thoroughly and dry it inside the house (better not do it outside). Let all the wetness go off. Fry all the ingredients including the dried boiled rice in a dry pan till they become brown (should be done carefully and not over do it). This can be ground in flour mill and grind coarsely. (Or it could be ground in mixer also one by one and then mix well)

If the powder is prepared for infants, make little at a time, take 1 cup of boiled rice and the remaining as per the ratio and grind it in mixie and sieve it thoroughly until a fine powder. Mix one tbspn of this powder to warm water and mix it thoroughly without lumps. Keep it in flame and bring it to boil. This could be given to kids either with a pinch of salt or sugar. (Better give it with salt).

When the kids grow, the coarseness of the powder can be increased. This makes a great morning breakfast, if given to the kids in semi solid form. They can eat it with spoon. This will sustain hunger till it is time for them to have lunch at school. (Daughter's experience).