Recipies

Madd Kulu (rice)

Mapangada Shilpa Belliappa

It is that time of the year in Kodagu (Coorg) when the local people relish Madd puttu, a sweet dish, made out of medicinal leaves called Madd Toppu (Justicia Wynaadensis Heyne of the Acanthaeceae family).
On the 18th day of the Kodava month of “Kakkada”, the leaves are supposed to contain 18 varieties of herbal medicine. One could prepare cakes out of the juice from the leaves or sweet porridge.

Ingredients:

Maddh leaves- 1 big bunch ,
Rice- 1 cup ,
Jaggery- 1/4 kg,
Coconut grated- 3/4th cup,
Cardamom- 3-4 powdered,
Milk-1/2 to 1cup (optional),

Method:

Boil leaves in water. (Approximately one to two litres) Strain out the water which should be a deep purple. Boil rice with enough water so that it is slightly overcooked. Use some of the remaining water to make jaggery syrup. Strain and keep aside. Once the rice is cooked, add jaggery syrup, coconut and cardamom and boil a little longer. Do not make it too thick as it thickens a little more once it is completely cool.
Add in a little milk before serving, if desired. Can be eaten hot or cold. Enjoy!

P.S. For the uninitiated- the urine turns a bright orange colour after eating Madd kulu. So no need to panic!