PAZHANG CURRY / SUNDA CURRY

Pazhang curry = Gravy using left over sambhar+kootu+poriyal.

Pazhang curry is my favorite.My mom used to make this on festive days like diwali,pongal and on No/Full Moon Days.On these days,we all prepare sambhar,poriyal,kootu/avial,pachadi,Vadai and Payasam .Not only on these days, we do all these items whenever we have guest at home.Sometimes the recipes may left over excessively.During those times,my mom do this pazhang curry on that night or the next day morning  by refrigerating it.It is also known as Sunda curry.It serves as an excellent accompaniment for Rice,Idly/dosa.

People from tirunelveli and tanjore must have tasted this i guess..Very easy to make, at the same time we can utilize left over recipes effectively without wasting them.

Ingredients:

• Left over sambhar,kootu/avial,poriyal – 2 cups
• Sesame oil – 1 tbsp
• Water & salt – if required. (optional)

Method:

• Mix all the left over sambhar,kootu/avial,poriyal together with little water and salt if required.
• Heat a kadai with a tbsp of sesame/gingely oil and add the mixture to it.
• Boil for sometime till the gravy becomes thick.

Yummy pazhang curry is ready to eat!! 

Can be had with plain rice,dosa/idly by adding sesame/gingely oil.Tastes divine!!

Hope u all will try this :)

KITCHEN CLINIC:

GINGELY OIL / SESAME OIL : Sesame oil makes a wonderful moisturizer for the skin. Distinctively sweet and nutty in aroma, it is light yellow in color. Also known as gingelly oil and til oil, Sesame oil boasts of its distinctive fragrance. Consistency wise, it is neither too thin nor too thick. Rich in Vitamin E and B complex, it is extremely beneficial for health. It also has a high content of minerals such as calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. To know about the uses and health benefits of Sesame oil, read on… Some people find the fragrance of Sesame oil a bit strong; therefore, it is usually mixed with some other base oil such as Almond oil or Grape seed oil to make its aroma lighter. Sesame oil massage works wonders in relieving tiredness of the body. It is known to possess soothing and tranquilizing properties. It also plays the role of sun blocker, thereby preventing the skin from being tanned or destroyed by the harmful Ultraviolet rays. The irony is that, despite its sun screening properties; its use in the making of sun screen lotions is not preferred. Sesame oil is known for its healing power. The presence of high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the oil is of great value in controlling high blood pressure. It makes it possible to lessen the dose of medication required to combat hypertension. It possesses Vitamin E and thus serves as a great antioxidant, which in turn helps to lower the cholesterol level. Sesame oil massage protects the skin from being victimized by problems such as Eczema, Psoriasis, and Blemishes. It has also proved to be effective in treating toothache and problem of gums. Sesame oil is an excellent emollient and is beneficial in alleviating tension and stress. It has been observed that people suffering from the problem of hypertension are usually prone to anxiety, poor circulation, nerve and bone disorders. Thus, Sesame oil application protects the body from various disorders associated with nervous system. It also keeps away the problem of insomnia and mental fatigue. Sesame oil is an energy rejuvenator, thus is the best remedy for the tired and aching body. It also helps in treating blurred vision. Uses: Cooking Despite sesame oil's high proportion(41%) of polyunsaturated (Omega-6 fatty acids), it is least prone, among cooking oils with high smoke points, to turn rancid when kept in the open.This is due to the natural antioxidants present in the oil.  Because of this, it carries a premium relative to other cooking oils. Light sesame oil has a high smoke point, and is suitable for deep-frying, while heavy (dark) sesame oil (from roasted sesame seeds) has a slightly lower smoke point is unsuitable for deep-frying, instead it can be used for stir frying of meats or vegetables; making of omelette. Most in Asia used Roasted Sesame Oil for seasoning, particularly in East Asian cuisine. Chinese uses Sesame Oil for preparation of meals for women during confinement (a period after a lady given birth). Sesame oil is most popular in Asia, including the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, where its widespread use is similar to that of olive oil in the Mediterranean. Body massage Sesame oil is reputed to penetrate the skin easily, and is used in India for oil massage. Hair treatment Applying sesame oil to the hair is said to result in darker hair. It may be used for hair and scalp massage. It is believed to reduce the heat of the body and thus helps in preventing hair loss. Food manufacture Sesame oil is used in the manufacture of pickles. Refined sesame oil is used to make margarine in Western countries. Drug manufacture Sesame oil is used in the manufacture of Ayurvedic drugs. Worship Sesame or Til oil is used in brass or silver lamps kept in front of gods and goddess of Hindus. Sesame oil is used for performing pooja in Hindu temples. Industrial uses In industry, sesame oil may be used as: a solvent in injected drugs or intravenous drip solutions, a cosmetics carrier oil, coating stored grains to prevent weevil attacks. The oil also has synergy with some insecticides.[12] Alternative medicine Vitamins and Minerals Sesame oil is a source of vitamin E. Vitamin E is an anti-oxidant and has been correlated with lowering cholesterol levels. As with most plant based condiments, sesame oil contains magnesium, copper, calcium, iron, zinc and vitamin B6. Copper provides relief for rheumatoid arthritis. Magnesium supports vascular and respiratory health. Calcium helps prevent colon cancer, osteoporosis, migraine and PMS. Zinc promotes bone health. Besides being rich in Vitamin E, there is insufficient research on the medicinal properties of sesame oil. However, the following claims have been made. Blood pressure Sesame oil has a high percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids[15] (omega-6 fatty acids) - but it is unique in that it keeps at room temperature. This is because it contains two naturally-occurring preservatives, sesamol and sesamin. (Normally, only oils predominately composed of the omega-9 monounsaturated oil, like olive oil, keep at room temperature.) It has been suggested that due to the presence of high levels of Polyunsaturated fatty acids in sesame oil, it may help to control blood pressure. It could be used in cooking in place of other edible oils and to help reduce high blood pressure and lower the amount of medication needed to control hypertension. The effect of the oil on blood pressure may be due to polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and the compound sesamin – a lignan present in sesame oil. There is evidence suggesting that both compounds reduce blood pressure in hypertensive rats. Sesame lignans also inhibit the synthesis and absorption of cholesterol in these rats. Oil pulling Sesame oil is one of the few oils recommended for use in oil pulling. (sunflower oil is the other oil recommended). Stress and tension Various constituents present in the sesame oil have anti-oxidant and anti-depressant properties. Therefore proponents encourage its use to help fight senile changes and bring about a sense of well-being. Adherents for its therapeutic use reports claims of feeling better than when not using it. General claims While not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), sesame oil is reputed to have a number of therapeutic uses. As with cure-all claims of other folk and therapeutic medicines, it is suggested that regular topical application and/or consumption of sesame oil should mitigate effects of anxiety, nerve and bone disorders, poor circulation, lowered immunity and bowel problems. It is suggested such use would also relieve lethargy, fatigue and insomnia, while promoting strength and vitality, enhancing blood circulation. There are claims that its use has relaxing properties which eases pain and muscle spasm, such as sciatica, dysmenorrhoea, colic, backache and joint pain. Sesame oil massage to babies, it is claimed, helps to calm them and lull them to sleep and improves growth of the brain and the nervous system. These are claims similar to other therapeutic medicines, that its having antioxidants explains beliefs that it slows the aging process and promotes longevity. It is suggested that sesame oil, when consumed and/or topically applied, should relieve dryness both externally and internally. Sesame oil is sometimes recommended to alleviate the dryness associated with menopause. It is believed that its use "restores moisture to the skin, keeping it soft, flexible and young looking". It is suggested that it relieves "dryness of joints" and bowels, and eases symptoms of dryness such as irritating coughs, cracking joints and hard stools. Since "dryness of joints" is not a medically classifiable condition, it would be difficult to medically comprehend or verify these claims of panacea. Other uses include as a laxative, as a remedy for toothaches and gum disease and in the treatment of blurred vision, dizziness, and headaches. It is suggested that sesame oil could be used in the treatment of dry nose, reduction of cholestrol levels (due to presence of Lignans which are phytoestrogens), anti-bacterial effects, and even slowing down certain types of cancer (due to the anti-oxidant properties of the Lignans). Adverse effects Sesame oil is not known to be harmful when taken in recommended dosages, though the long-term effects of taking sesame-derived remedies (in any amount) have not been investigated. Due to lack of sufficient medical study, sesame oil should be used with caution in children, women who are pregnant or breast-feeding, and people with liver or kidney disease. Because of its laxative effects, sesame oil should not be used by people who have diarrhea. No more than 10% of a person's total caloric intake should be derived from polyunsaturated fats such as those found in sesame oil, according to the American Heart Association. Oil massage should be avoided immediately after administering enemas, emetics or purgatives, during the first stages of fever or if suffering from indigestion. People who are allergic to peanuts are likely to be more susceptible to sesame allergy. Allergy to peanuts is one of the most common allergies, and can lead to anaphylactic shock which can be fatal. Persons allergic to sesame seeds should be cautious about using sesame oil.