Kerala rice- Parboiled Matta
Grown in Palghat, the Kerala Matta or red rice is an earthy flavoured rice used as a daily staple grain. Also, know as “rose matta”, the faint pink hued rice is a double boiled variety. Consuming almost double the water while cooking, fat globule shaped rice grains are very filling. Retaining the outer coat, giving the characteristic colour and fibre content of this variety of rice make it a loved one for all in Kerala.
Moru kachiyathu – Tempered turmeric buttermilk
Traditional buttermilk made from churned yoghurt removing the butter. This is a much-needed accompaniment to a meal in South Indian cuisine. Served as, Sambhram, a thin watered down buttermilk with spices, it is very beneficial to reduce dehydration in the hot summer days. Check link –Spiced buttermilk.

Sambharam
In monsoon season, the buttermilk curry is gently simmered with ginger, black pepper and turmeric. These additions to the buttermilk curry serve as a frontline defence to the gut lining and throat against the germs circulating in these seasons. This warm and soup like preparation are one of the best remedies for any kind of mild stomach issues.
I would actually call this recipe for buttermilk curry, “golden” for a few reasons.
One, the ingredients and preparation are so simple, you can be a newbie and still tackle it.
Two, the attractive golden colour of the recipe due to the turmeric.
Three, the proven health benefits of this ayurvedic recipe.
So, here is the quick “ozhichucurry”(pourable gravy) recipe with wishes for Onam and looking forward to your support towards the rebuilding Kerala for half a million people who were displaced from their homes.
See you next week.
{ Mildly Indian has no direct financial links with the organisations mentioned above. These are accounts to donate if you feel the gravity of the situation and the choice is entirely yours. Thankyou.}

Moru kaachiyathu
Ingredients
to be simmered
- 500 ml traditional buttermilk
- 1/2 tsp coconut oil
- 2 tsp ginger grated
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1/2 tsp crushed black pepper
- 10-15 curry leaves
add after simmering
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Whisk the butter milk and keep it aside.
- Into a heavy saucepan on low heat, add coconut oil. As it melts add the grated ginger and saute for a minute.
- Add black pepper, turmeric powder and curry leaves.
- Pour in the whisked buttermilk and gently bring to a bubbling.
- Simmer for a couple of minutes and remove from heat.
- Allow the curry to stay for a few minutes to infuse the flavours.
- Stir in the salt and curry is ready to use.
- Serve with warm matta rice.
Hey! I hope things are fine with your friends and family. It is hard to see such devastation! 🙁 In 2013, I was in Uttarakhand during the flash floods and I can so relate to this situation in Kerala. Thank you for sharing the recipe! I love the mild flavours of the dish. It sounds similar to the North Indian curry but I am sure it is much lighter as it doesn’t use besan. And the matta rice must also be very fragrant. I use a brown rice variety that grows locally in Rajasthan and love it. It is sad… Read more »
Simple comfort meal.. Amazing how the same dish is prepared with slight variations in each state.
Such a pleasing dish, moru curry looks just prefect to enjoy with some rice and spicy side dishes.. Inviting definitely.
Woow. The curry looks so perfect. I just need this curry, rice and pickle. I would happily finish my lunch. I liked the touch of coconut oil in this recipe. It must be flavorful 🙂
This looks so delicious flavourful and comforting.. Something like chhach but differently made. I will try it soon. Thanks for the recipe
Such a flavorful and comforting meal. Addition of grated ginger makes it even more delcatable and healthy. Just Loved the recipe. Would be trying out soon
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who lost lives, homes and means of living in Kerala. Its true that even wishing friends happy Onam is not right as so many will not be able to celebrate this famous festival. The simple tempered buttermilk looks like comfort food.
simple , delicious and very comfort food. tastes awesome with hot rice. thanks for sharing
Kerala is in our thoughts and prayers 🙏
The dish sounds like a comfort food Seema.
Simple and healthy dish yet tastes delicious. I have never tried with coconut oil, will save it to try soon. Great share.
My prayers for those who are suffering and wishing them a normal life again.
Initially I thought this curry to br like North Indian /kadhi with regional variation. Later I realized that it has no thickening agent like besan. This must be quite light and comforting.
Love butter milk curry anyday but this version with coconut oil in Kerala style have never tried have to try soon.
moru curry looking the interesting way of using turmeric, A healthy drink with the goodness of turmeric.
Comfort food! Will love to have this everyday! I am amazed how each state has a variation for this dish. It looks amazing.
I hope your friends and family are okay in India. I’ve seen and heard about Moru curry a lot, yet to try myself. Sounds comforting and fuss-free recipe, as long as buttermilk won’t curdle 🙂 I must make soon.
Our thoughts and prayers to all those who lost lives in Kerala floods.This simple and healthy Moru curry looks absolutely lip smacking.I am a lover of moru curries.Fab share Seema.
I was wondering if you can freeze this?,
Hi Jyothi, the recipe has a lot of water in it which tends to separate the milk solids when thawing. So it is best fresh than frozen.
Hello, I notice you have said “Traditional Buttermilk” in few places. Would you please explain to me what is called “Traditional Buttermilk” and its variant. Thank you
Hi Penny,
It is common to see that milk mixed with a bit of vinegar or and the acidic base is used as a base to make baked goods softer. Traditional buttermilk, on the other hand,the left over liquid from milk that has been converted into yoghurt (fermented naturally) and churned to remove the butter. This thinned out liquid with a lot of whey is what is used in this blog as traditional buttermilk. You can also call it as, natural set buttermilk.
Hi mildly indian, thank you for explaining what traditional buttermilk is. You have done it in simple words. thank you. Penny.
My pleasure. I am actually glad you asked. The probiotic content of traditional buttermilk is very useful. You can use the same
to make avocado shake as well.
Thank you for your reply. So sorry I did not see this earlier. PENNY