Sambarballi Tambuli (Coconut-Buttermilk based Cuban Oregano Gravy/Drink)

Sambarballi Tambuli is a very simple and healthy drink/gravy. Tambuli is basically a coconut-buttermilk based gravy.

Sambarballi leaves are very healthy and the juice extracted from the leaves is used to cure cough and cold. The juice is especially given to small children for curing cough and cold. This plant doesn't require special care and hence many people grow it in a pot. The picture below is a picture of the plant in our home, back in India.

This is my husband's grandma's recipe and my MIL made this for me. I loved it as a drink. In one of my earlier posts, I had posted a recipe for chutney using the same leaves. Try making this healthy Tambuli. I am sure you all will love it as a summer drink!

Ingredients:

• Sambarballi/ Cuban Oregano leaves, small sized- 10-12
• Grated Coconut, fresh/frozen- 1/2 cup
• Green Chillies- 2-4
• Tamarind- A very small piece
• Cumin seeds/Jeera- 1/2 tsp
• Ghee- 1/2 tsp
• Buttermilk- 2/3 cup (or adjust according to your taste)
• Salt- To taste

For Seasoning:

• Oil/Ghee- 1-2 tsp
• Mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp
• Curry leaves- Few

Procedure:

Wash the leaves and give a rough chop to them.

Then take a small kadai and add ghee. Start heating it on a low flame and add cumin seeds and chopped leaves. Fry for 30 seconds. Turn off the heat and allow it to cool.

Then grind the fried leaves, cumin along with grated coconut, green chilli, tamarind and salt with little water. Transfer it to a bowl. Add buttermilk and mix well. The consistency of Tambuli should be medium thick.

For Seasoning- Heat oil. Add mustard seeds. Once it starts spluttering, add curry leaves and turn off the heat. Add this to prepared tambuli and mix well. Sambarballi Tambuli is ready!!

Serve it with rice or have it as a drink on a hot afternoon. Above measurement serves four people.