Centella Asiatica is commonly known as Centella /Gotu kola or Asiatic pennywort locally known as Thimare /Brahmi or Ondelaga in our region. Popularly known as a memory enhancer and from ages, it has been used as a brain tonic. In our coastal Brahmi is considered as a body coolant and used as a culinary herb during summer either by making chutney or Tambli.
Brahmi is a small runner/succulent herb and contains numerous fibrous roots at its every node. In our coastal belt, it grows widely in our paddy fields or Areca nut garden. It has small tiny seed-like flowers with a neutral colour. The whole plant including its roots can be used in cooking as well as medicinal purpose. It has little bitter sweetish taste when it is consumed in a raw form without any added taste enhancer. 2 teaspoons of Raw extract can be used for 3 to 7 days to enhance the overall health /to boost immune system/to reduce any inflammation of the body. Apart from this, it is very good for hair as well and I have shared the Hair oil recipe long ago by adding Brahmi and many other goodnesses.
In our region, usually, we make Tambli or chutney and consumed as a raw form (not boiled) to get all the benefits of the greens. This particular recipe I learnt it from Kavya Bhat which she has shared with us in our Foodie Facebook group and I want to thank her for the wonderful tasty recipe.
How to make Tambli-
Ingredients:
Brahmi greens – 1 fistful (You can use with roots or without)
Coconut – ½ cup
Cumin – ½ tsp
Jaggery – 1 small piece
Curd – ½ cup
Salt
Seasoning:
Coconut oil – 1 tsp
Sesame seeds – 1tsp
Red chilli flakes – 1 tsp (or chopped red chilli)
Curry leaves – 1 spring
Method:
-Wash Brahmi greens and roots nicely.
-Put Brahmi, coconut, salt, cumin, jaggery and pour ½ cup of water and grind into a smooth paste.
-Sieve the content and extract the liquid.
-Take all the roughage, add curd and little water grind once again and sieve. Collect the liquid.
-Third time add little water and grind, sieve and extract the liquid and discard all the remaining roughage.
-Prepare seasoning- heat oil, add sesame, when it turns light brown switch off the gas. Add red chilli flakes, curry leaves and add to Tambli.
-Adjust the salt and enjoy either as an appetiser or with white or brown/ red rice.
Kavya Bhat May 28, 2019
Thanks a lot for your very nice feedback dear… 💖
Shrikripa U June 2, 2019
Thank you so much kavya
A November 19, 2020
I made this today. It turned out super tasty. Thanks
Shrikripa U November 19, 2020
Thank you so much for your feedback. Glad to know, you also liked the taste of tambli.