If you like tangy pachadis then this Andhra Usirikaya Perugu Pachadi—called Nellikai Thayir Pachadi in Tamil and Amla Raita in Hindi—will be just up your alley. And the best part about this dish is that it gets done in under 10 minutes.
This simple yogurt-based dish is tangy, cooling and loaded with nutrition. Usirikaya Perugu Pachadi is served as side in a main Andhra meal, I also enjoy it with Idli and Dosa. It is also one of the most delicious ways in which you can savour the Indian Gooseberry.
The version of this dish made in Tamil Nadu is called Nellikai Thayir Pachadi and sometimes uses some coconut as well. However, in Andhra Pradesh, we do not use any coconut and make this Amla Raita with only Amla.
Other Recipes with Usirikaya (aka Amla or Nellikai)
If you like the Indian Gooseberry, do try these recipes:
How to Make Nellikai Thayir Pachadi | Usirikaya Perugu Pachadi | Amla Raita
- Mix 1/2 cup yogurt till it is smooth and set aside for later use.
- Now chop 2 gooseberries into pieces and discard the seed.
- Grind the gooseberry pieces, 1-2 green chillies and salt to a coarse paste.
- Add the ground paste to the beaten yogurt and mix well.
- Add the Tempering
- In a ladle, heat 1 tsp oil.
- Add 1/2 tsp mustard seeds and wait till they splutter.
- Next, add 1 tsp udad dal and stir-fry till the dal turns golden brown.
- Add 1 split red chilli and a few curry leaves and stir-fry for a few seconds.
- Now add this tempering to the Usirikaya Perugu Pachadi.
- Mix well.
- Enjoy!
I had last updated this recipe in 2017 but was not very happy with the pics. I know it is a long while coming but I finally got around to updating this post today.
Recipe for Usirikaya Perugu Pachadi | Nellikai Thayir Pachadi | Amla Raita
Usirikaya Perugu Pachadi | Nellikai Thayir Pachadi | Amla Raita
Ingredients
- 2 Indian Gooseberries, Amla, Usirikaya, Nellikai (~50 gms)
- 1/2 Cup Yogurt, Dahi, Thayir, Perugu (~100 gms)
- 1-2 Green Chillies
- Salt to Taste
- 1 tsp Coconut Oil
- 1/2 tsp Mustard Seeds
- 1 tsp Udad Dal
- 1 Red Chilli
- A Few Curry Leaves
Instructions
- Beat 1/2 cup yogurt till smooth.
- Cut 2 amla into large pieces; discard the seed.
- Grind together the amla pieces, 1-2 green chillies and salt to a coarse paste.
- Add the ground amla paste to the beaten yogurt, and mix well.
- In a tempering ladle, heat 1 tsp oil. Note: I use sesame oil or coconut oil.
- Add 1/2 tsp mustard seeds and wait till they splutter.
- Add 1 tsp udad dal and fry till it is golden brown.
- Add 1 split red chilli and a few curry leaves, and stir-fry for a few seconds.
- Add the tempering to the Usirikaya Perugu Pachadi, and mix well.
delicious and healthy like sunshine
Mouth watering pachadi !