Kumbalakayi majjigehuli is ashgourd yoghurt curry made in Karnataka cuisine. Served with hot steamed rice and a dry saute on the side.
Morkozhambu or Majjigehuli is a South Indian kadhi (yoghurt based curry) made with different seasonal veggies or sometime even with dried condiments. It makes for the ideal summer side dish with some hot steamed rice / quinoa / millets and is soothing. Majjige = buttermilk , Huli = curry
Majjige huli is usually made with okra (like Preethi’s delicious Bendekayi Majjigehuli), chayote squash (chow chow) ,raw banana, string beans, cucumber and ash gourd . We have the Iyengar-style Kalyana morkozhambu with ash gourd already on the blog. This is the Karnataka style of making this gravy, which is markedly different from the Tamilnadu Style
How to serve this Majjige huli?
In a traditional sit down meal in tamil / kannada brahmin homes, this is served with rice (Anna), ghee (thuppa) cooked toor dal (thovve). Majjigehuli is served as the first course of the South Indian meal and this is mixed well and the curry is savoured to line the stomach for the sambhar and rasam and papad that usually follow. So much ancient wisdom in the order of serving dishes in a particular order, isn’t it ?
If you are making this Majjige huli as a stand alone dish, serve with rice / quinoa / millets with a light stir fry (called palya in Kannada) – choose from beans, cabbage , carrot etc for a soothing summer meal.
Traditionally in Kannada brahmin homes, Majjigehuli is a popular combo with Nuchinunde (steamed lentil dumplings) and is served as a delicacy as a snack or during special occasions.
History of Majjigehuli / Morkozhambu in South Indian Cooking
The history of majjige huli can be traced back to ancient times when yogurt and buttermilk were commonly used in Indian cooking. The dish is believed to have originated in the southern region of India, where it was a staple in traditional homes.
Over time, the recipe for majjige huli has evolved, with different regions and communities adding their own unique touches to the dish. For example, in some parts of Karnataka, coconut is added to the dish to give it a richer, creamier flavor. In other regions, toor dal and ginger are soaked with everyday spices like cumin to make the spice paste.
Today, majjige huli is a beloved dish in South Indian cuisine, and can be found on the menu at many restaurants and homes throughout the region. It is a versatile dish that can be adapted to suit a variety of tastes and preferences, making it a popular choice for a discerning foodie audience
Dahi / Curd / Yogurt in Indian Cooking
Dahi / Curd/ Yoghurt / Majjige / Mosaru / Perugu – whatever we call it is a soothing ingredient for any summer. Of course, rich in pre and probiotics, it also aids in digestion and helps build gut flora. From Raitas to Kadhi to Pachadi
Can I make this vegan ?
You can use any plant based curd, I haven’t tried yet but rice yogurt / peanut yogurt might work. If you DO make this with vegan yoghurt, please leave a comment below and tag us on @instagram
Tips to make a tasty and yummy Majjige Huli / mor kozhambu
- Use fresh curds (homemade/ store bought). If using store bought, use the unflavoured versions
- Do not boil the gravy for more than 2 mins on low flame once the whisked yoghurt has been added
- Cook the veggies only till 80% and then add the spice paste. If using Okra or string beans in place of Ash gourd, saute them till they are soft but not mushy.
- To re-heat leftovers, bring to room temperature from the fridge and gently warm in the microwave in spurts of 30 secs. Warming them too much will split the yogurt.
- If not using a microwave, heat this indirectly in a double boiler over a pan of boilign water till its warm and serve immediately
Similar quick side dishes made with yoghurt you could make this summer…
Let’s get to the recipe
Ingredients needed to make kumbalakyai majjigehuli
Prep time – 10 mins, cook – 10 mins , serves – 3
- 100 grams ashgourd / winter melon / safed bhopla / boodu kumbalakaayi
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 250 ml homemade yoghurt (not sour)
Spice paste
- 1 Tbsp channa dal
- 1 tsp coriander seeds (some homes don’t add this, but we like it)
- 1/4 cup coconut (fresh / frozen)
- 1/4 tsp Methi seeds (menthye)
- 2 red chillies (sub with green too)
- 1 tsp cumin seeds (jeerige)
Tempering:
- 1 tsp coconut oil (use any neutral oil If you don’t use / like coconut oil)
- 1/4 tsp Asafoetida (hing, skip for gluten free)
- 1/2 tsp Mustard seeds
- 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 sprig curry leaves
PIN FOR LATER
How to make Kumbalakayi Majjigehuli
- Wash, peel the ashgourd. Slice into 1 inch long equal sized batons
- Boil them in a pot of Watee (about 2 cups) with a pinch of salt and the turmeric till they are 80% done
- Drain and reserve the water
- In a pan, dry roast the ingredients for the spice paste except the coconut
- Cool and grind with the coconut and salt to a smooth paste adding 2-3 tsp of the reserved water.
- Add this to the cooked veggies and simmer over a low flame.
- Whisk the yogurt with the remaining reserved water and adding more water to make a thickish buttermilk – about 2 cups approx (don’t make it too runny)
- Once the veggies are simmered with the masala paste, add the whisked buttermilk.
- Simmer on low for 3-4 mins.
- Turn off when you see a small bubble (else the buttermilk will split)
- Prepare tadka / tempering with the oil , mustard , cumin seeds, Hing and add to the cooked curry
- Serve immediately with steamed rice / lapsi/ cooked millet.
- We love to eat the leftovers next day with some Arisi upma or upma kozhakattai( I make extra Majjige huli just for this)
Kumbalakayi majjigehuli | Karnataka style ash gourd yoghurt curry
Equipment
- Thick Bottomed Pan
- Spice Blender
Ingredients
- 100 grams ash gourd (winter melon / safed bhopla / boodu kumbalakaayi
- 1 tsp salt or to taste
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 250 ml homemade yoghurt not sour
Spice paste
- 1 Tbsp channa dal
- 1 tsp coriander seeds some homes don’t add this, but we like it
- 1/4 cup coconut fresh / frozen
- 1/4 tsp Methi seeds menthye
- 2 red chillies sub with green too
- 1 tsp cumin seeds jeerige
Tempering
- 1 tsp coconut oil use any neutral oil If you don’t use / like coconut oil
- 1/4 tsp Asafoetida hing, skip for gluten free
- 1/2 tsp Mustard seeds
- 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 sprig curry leaves
Instructions
- Wash, peel the ashgourd. Slice into 1 inch long equal sized batons
- Boil them in a pot of Watee (about 2 cups) with a pinch of salt and the turmeric till they are 80% done
- Drain and reserve the water
- In a pan, dry roast the ingredients for the spice paste except the coconut
- Cool and grind with the coconut and salt to a smooth paste adding 2-3 tsp of the reserved water.
- Add this to the cooked veggies and simmer over a low flame.
- Whisk the yogurt with the remaining reserved water and adding more water to make a thickish buttermilk – about 2 cups approx (don’t make it too runny)
- Once the veggies are simmered with the masala paste, add the whisked buttermilk.
- Simmer on low for 3-4 mins.
- Turn off when you see a small bubble (else the buttermilk will split)
- Prepare tadka / tempering with the oil , mustard , cumin seeds, Hing and add to the cooked curry
- Serve immediately with steamed rice / lapsi/ cooked millet.
- We love to eat the leftovers next day with some Arisi upma or upma kozhakattai( I make extra Majjige huli just for this)
Notes
- Use fresh curds (homemade/ store bought). If using store bought, use the unflavoured versions
- Do not boil the gravy for more than 2 mins on low flame once the whisked yoghurt has been added
- Cook the veggies only till 80% and then add the spice paste. If using Okra or string beans in place of Ash gourd, saute them till they are soft but not mushy.
- To re-heat leftovers, bring to room temperature from the fridge and gently warm in the microwave in spurts of 30 secs. Warming them too much will split the yogurt.
- If not using a microwave, heat this indirectly in a double boiler over a pan of boilign water till its warm and serve immediately
Whether it is morkuzhambu or this majigehuli, this is my favorite than sambhar always. This simple recipe is a comforting one for us. I am thinking to knock your home to have a bowl of this!:-)
always welcome, Radha. Would love to make this authentic dish from Kannada cuisine for you!
Oh my my Kalyani…thanks for posting this kumblakaai majjigehuli… I had totally forgotten about this variant of majjige huli that amma would make..she used to like this version more than the TN style Morkuzhambu.. I love to enjoy this with some aralu sandige.. no Palya nothing 🙂
oh that’s so nice you have wonderful memories of this, Priya. yes Aralu Sandige is yum with this…
Love any yogurt based curry and majjige huli is one of them. When in Bangalore I make it with ash gourd but elsewhere with lauki as we don’t get ash gourd. Enjoyed reading about the history behind this famous dish.
Thanks Mayuri. we make it with Lauki too, but somehow ashgourd has a special place in our heart
Ashgourd kadhi South Indian Style looks too good.. Best with hot steamed rice spread
it sure is delish with hot steaming rice
I love anything with curd. And yogurt based curries are always my favorite. Your ash gourd yogurt curry looks absolutely delicious. Never tasted it. Now I have to try it soon.
thank you so much, Sujata.please do try it, am sure you will love it
Beautiful traditional recipe! The freshly ground spice paste must add a lovely flavour to the Majjige Huli, I’m sure.
it sure does, Priya..
Served with rice, the majjige huli will be such a comfort. The flavours of Ashgourd and coconut are one of my favorites.
thank you Seema, it sure is soothing!
Ahh! Ash gourd majjigehuli takes me back to my cravings during my first pregnancy! I did not know how to explain it to my poor mother-in-law. When I rang my mother also I could not remember the name. 😀 Love this curry to the core even now and you have made it perfectly like Amma made it. Thnaks.
awww. thanks arch. Wish I could send you over some now!
Lovely post Kalyani, can so relate to it. It is usually prepared with ash gourd in our house, it is a comfort meal for me.
Yes this is with Ashgourd only 🙂 comforting for sure !
I am a sucker for Majjige huli. This Ash gourd majjige huli is one of my most favourite dish. I have many fond memories about this dish while growing up. Lovely Kalyani. I am enjoying some delicious majjige huli made by mom as she is here with me .
so good to know that aunty is here to make it for you….