Moru kaachiyathu | golden buttermilk curry

Moru kachiyathu
Prepare one of Kerala’s unique kept secrets to health, moru kachiyathu,  in under 10 minutes. Take care of your gut health and tastebuds at the same time with this flavoured golden buttermilk curry.
I am not a huge fan of golden milk or turmeric milk mainly because I hate drinking milk. However, there is a unique Kerala preparation, moru kachiyathu that I rely on for all sorts of tummy troubles and sniffly cold days. The recipe is simple and flavour rich. It can be used as a curry or a drink. Most importantly takes under 10 minutes to put together. This is morukachiyathu or golden buttermilk curry.

Is morukachiyathu the same as pulisherry?

Pulisherry is different from moru kachiyathu. Pulisherry has a coconut based ground masala added to the buttermilk gravy. Added there is a vegetable like ashgourd, plantain or yam that is cooked and added to the curry. The coconut masala and vegetable is not a part of the moru kachiyathu.

Ingredients to make moru kachiyathu

Moru kachiyathu is one of the simplest ayurvedic recipe. It takes a while to get used to it if you are new to savory flavours in yogurt. Though the curry resembles khadi, it does not need all the ingredients too. Here is what you will need
Butter milk: The traditional fermented buttermilk is the expected one for this recipe. Traditional set yogurt can be churned after adding drinking water. The butter that surfaces from the churning is removed. The resultantliquid with some milkproteins, whey and water is traditional butter milk. This is used to make the morukachiyathu.
Spices and seasoning: Mainly turmeric and black pepper are the spices used in this recipe. Both of these hold high value in ayurvedic cuisine and work complementary to each other. Along with this crushed or chopped fresh ginger root and curry leaves add the curry flavour. Though salt is used for seasoning, it is best to add it after cooling the curry to avoid curdling. You will find recipes with garlic, shallots, chillies also added to the same recipe. This is entirely based on your tastebuds. I prefer to make the basic simple version.
Oil: the oil of choice for most Kerala dishes is coconut oil. For this recipe I would recommend the same. It gives a comforting flavour to the recipe.

Let’s make golden buttermilk curry

Prep the buttermilk: the first step in preparation of moru kachiyathu is to prep the buttermilk. the buttermilk after butter extraction can be fairly thick. If this is so, bring it up with water to a pouring consistency. Whisk well and set it aside
Season the oil: set a saucepan on low heat and add the coconut oil. As the oil heats up add the crushed ginger, curry leaves and crushed black pepper. Let this sizzle and season the oil. Now add the turmeric powder to it.
Finish the buttermilk curry: To the seasoned oil, add the buttermilk kept ready. Mix and leave it to simmer. As the bubbles appear on the sides remove from heat and set it aside. After a minute or two stir in the salt you needed. The curry is now ready to b served.

What if my curry curdles?

There are a few factors that result in curdled curry. This doesn’t mean that the curry is inedible. It still tastes great, however loses the visual appeal. Here are some factors you want yo watch out for:
  • The kachiya moru recipe curdles if boiled or the heat is higher. So ensure the entire process is done on the lowest heat and slow simmer.
  • The water to yogurt ratio in the buttemilk is important. Though it is not a creamy curry, you do need a bit of thickness to hold it together and so do not want to add a lot of water to the yogurt before churning.So ensure that the buttermilk is thicker than the ones for the watery sambharam.
  • Do not add salt as you are preparing the curry as boiling with salt will denature the proteins. Rather, add the salt to your rice or kanji before having for the savory notes.

These points should help you get a better golden buttermilk that is not curdled.

Golden buttermilk curry

What pairs well with golden buttermilk curry?

Matta rice with beans upperi is a combination that I adore. This is not limiting, you can add a sadhya style aviyal, papadam, instant mango pickle to the same plate to make it a better lunch.

Can we make this vegan?

The recipe can entirely be replicated using coconut yogurt. However if you are new to coconut yogurt, you may not accept it entirely to begin with. Start in small quantities and recreate the flavours to get the best results.

How does kachiya moru help in gut health?

Being a fermented food, this moru kachiyatu is made of easy to digest proteins from the yogurt. Thinned out preparation is not boiled just simmered to bring together the flavours. Most lactobacillus bacteria are heat tolerant to these limits so help to repopulate the gut with good bacteria. Moreover, though spices are used, these are the ones that help to heal ulcers and infections like pepper and turmeric. This added factor makes it easy for healing an upset tummy.

Is this a spicy curry?

Usually moru kachiyathu is not a spicy recipe more of a tangy flavour. The peppercorns can be left whole to reduce the pungent kick and made mild to taste.

 

Moru kaachiyathu

Simple butter milk curry
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Total Time 12 minutes
Course Main Dish, sidedish, Soups and salad, Traditional
Cuisine Baby toddler food, diabetic friendly, gluten free, Indian, Kerala, Kids choice, Medicinal, One pot, Vegetarian, Winter
Servings 2 people

Equipment

  • saucepan
  • Whisk

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.

Notes

You can add shallots and garlic to the recipe by sauteing it with ginger.
Slightly sour buttermilk is preferred for the preparation.
Add in a few chillies if you like it spicy.
The trick to get this recipe right is not to heat the butter milk on high heat, if not the buttermilk will split.
Keyword curry recipes, easy soup recipes, Kerala recipes, Winter warmers
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Stay subscribed

Hailing from Kerala, I turn towards this cuisine for a lot of ayurvedic healing recipes. Most of these are simple to make and highly flavourful. Hope you enjoy making this golden buttermilk recipe as much as we love sharing the idea. When you make this, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Pin this for later.

See you in the next post

Kerala buttermilk curry

5 6 votes
Rating

Subscribe & Follow

You Might Also Like

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

29 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Ashima
6 years ago

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 »

Shobha Keshwani
6 years ago

Simple comfort meal.. Amazing how the same dish is prepared with slight variations in each state.

Priya Suresh
6 years ago

Such a pleasing dish, moru curry looks just prefect to enjoy with some rice and spicy side dishes.. Inviting definitely.

Malini
Malini
6 years ago

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 🙂

Sujata Roy
6 years ago

This looks so delicious flavourful and comforting.. Something like chhach but differently made. I will try it soon. Thanks for the recipe

Anshu
6 years ago

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

Mayuri Patel
6 years ago

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.

ruchi
6 years ago

simple , delicious and very comfort food. tastes awesome with hot rice. thanks for sharing

Poonam Bachhav
6 years ago

Kerala is in our thoughts and prayers 🙏
The dish sounds like a comfort food Seema.

geetha priyanka
6 years ago

Simple and healthy dish yet tastes delicious. I have never tried with coconut oil, will save it to try soon. Great share.

Ritu Tangri
6 years ago

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.

Soma Mukherjee
6 years ago

Love butter milk curry anyday but this version with coconut oil in Kerala style have never tried have to try soon.

code2cook
code2cook
6 years ago

moru curry looking the interesting way of using turmeric, A healthy drink with the goodness of turmeric.

Nisha Ramesh
Nisha Ramesh
6 years ago

Comfort food! Will love to have this everyday! I am amazed how each state has a variation for this dish. It looks amazing.

jagruti
6 years ago

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.

preethi'scuisine
6 years ago

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.

Jyothi
Jyothi
4 years ago

I was wondering if you can freeze this?,

Penny Mohan
Penny Mohan
4 years ago

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

Penny Mohan
Penny Mohan
Reply to  mildlyindian
4 years ago

Hi mildly indian, thank you for explaining what traditional buttermilk is. You have done it in simple words. thank you. Penny.

Penny Mohan
Penny Mohan
Reply to  mildlyindian
4 years ago

Thank you for your reply. So sorry I did not see this earlier. PENNY

Mayuri Patel
1 month ago
Rating :
     

I tried moru kaachiyathu and we loved it. Added less ginger and used the buttermilk we get in the tetrapak. For a bit more sourness added some lemon juice.

kalyani
kalyani
1 month ago
Rating :
     

As we(I) (slowly!) age, these gut-soothing Moru Curry looks very appealing and soothing too. Would love to have it as is with some instant mango pickle. lovely share, Seema

Priya Srinivasan
1 month ago
Rating :
     

Oh love moru curry seema! One of the quickest, easiest and tastiest curry! I love to enjoy it with rice and a spicy side. I m salivating now, will make it tomorrow!

Renu
Renu
26 days ago
Rating :
     

I love this type of kadhi, it is comforting at the same time good when you are down with col. We make similar in Maharashtra but add a little of besan, this one without it sounds yum.

Priya Vj
25 days ago
Rating :
     

I love this mor kaychiyathu ..tend to have it just as is without mixing it with rice. Such a simple, yet flavorful gut pleaser 🙂

Jayashree T Rao
7 days ago
Rating :
     

I made this Moru Kachiyathu and it was good. Liked this simple and easy to make Kerala dish

29
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x