Happy New Year, everyone! I hate to start my first post this year with this recipe! But a part of me is happy too. Let me explain. New year, unfortunately, bring the flu season with it! My husband is feeling a little under the weather. So here I was, on the phone with Mummy, asking her what I could do to cure his cold faster (even though that is just a notion) or at least relieve his symptoms. Out of the blue she says, “Why don’t you make kulitha caldo?” My ears pop up. That is something I have never heard before! “What is kulitha caldo?”, I ask her. She says, “It is one of the many things that Granny used to give us when we would be sick.” She has my full attention now and I am as excited as a child in a candy store, but a little sad at the same time. Sad, because I have never heard or tasted this medicinal Goan recipe before and excited that now I can document it so that it is not lost! My goal has always been to restore and revive the lost Goan culinary heritage. And words cannot describe the happiness I feel to be able to preserve this one! Kulith or horse gram is a less known or rather less frequently made lentil which is packed with multiple health benefits. I am trying to use it more in my day to day diet and this is why my mom remembered about this recipe. With some research I found that horse gram is proven to be rich in antioxidants and aids in relieving symptoms of bronchitis. I guess our ancestors knew a thing or two about science! So next time you boil some horse gram do not discard the nutritious water. Try this recipe instead! Stay healthy this flu season!

What you will need:

How to make it:

• Wash the horse gram thoroughly. Soak the horse gram over night in 2 cups of water. This will ensure that it cooks faster.
• Boil the horse gram adding an additional cups of water.  You can pressure cook it as well to hasten the process.
• Drain the dark brown water that is obtained after boiling the horse gram. You can use the boiled horse gram to make salads, dals or curry.
• Add 1/2 cup of warm milk to the drained water.
• Add coconut jaggery or honey. Stir well.
• Enjoy warm.