Saturday, 10 November 2012

Inji Lehiyam - Diwali Lehiyam - Diwali Legiyam

Diwali is a time when we eat too many sweets and savouries. Our elders were pretty smart in taking care of the side effects. Every house has their way of making this Lehiyam (Legiyam). But the net result is the same. No stomach complaints.

Don't be deterred by the name lehiyam. It is not a bitter medicine. It used to be one of my favourites as a child.

Some recipes use a lot of ingredients. These days I was told you even get a powder of the spice mix to make the lehiyam. This one is a super simple version that my mom used to make. You cannot go wrong with this and it takes just 15 minutes to make.



Ingredients

Ginger/Inchi/Inji 1 cup
Jaggery 1 cup
Cardamom 1/4 tsp
Coriander seeds 1 tbsp
Cumin seeds 1 tbsp

Method of Preparation

1. Dry roast the coriander and cumin seeds till they crackle. Powder them.

2. Peal and chop ginger into small pieces. Add to the mixie along with the cumin-coriander mix. Grate into a smooth paste. Do not add water.

3. In a pan, add powdered jaggery and very little water and melt the jaggery. You can add a little more jaggery if you like it sweeter. This was the correct ratio for me.

4. Add the ginger paste and cardamom. Mix well.

5. Keep stirring till the raw smell of ginger is gone and all water is evaporated (about 8-10 minutes)

Enjoy your sweets and savouries.. But don't forget this yummy lehiyam.


Linking this to Lets Cook - Potluck - Event by Radhika

Linking this to South Indian Cooking - Event by Anu, Hosted by Sangee

6 comments:

  1. Nice and good medicine that our ancestors have left for us... My granny makes it bit similar to this :) Aids digestion and improves intestinal health :) Good one dear!!
    Rasagullas - A Bengali Sweet

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  2. We must learn such herb medicines which has flavour and therapeutic properties..very useful recipe.

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  3. this is very new recipe for me. How long it can keep fresh. Do you store in fridge or room temp.

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    1. Renu - this keeps fresh at room temperature for a a week may be... In fridge it keeps definitely for 2-3 weeks. never lasts for more than that.. so not very sure.. it is always over before that. Make sure water is absorbed well...

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