Amla, or Indian gooseberry, is a familiar ingredient in Indian households, often prepared as murabba, chutney or juice.
But this naturally tart fruit can do much more than that. With the right combinations, amla can add a refreshing sourness to snacks, sides and everyday meals.
If the sharp taste of raw amla is not to your liking, try these seven simple ways to include it in your diet.
1. Make Amla Candy
Fresh amla can be transformed into a sweet-and-tangy snack with jaggery or sugar. Cook the fruit or allow the pieces to dry in the sun, then add a little roasted cumin powder for extra flavour. Store the homemade candy and enjoy a small portion when you want a sweet treat.
2. Add It to Raita
Grated amla makes an interesting addition to chilled curd. Mix it with roasted cumin powder, black salt and chopped coriander for a refreshing raita. The creamy curd helps mellow the fruit’s strong sourness, making it a good accompaniment to an everyday meal.
3. Give Rice an Amla Twist
Amla can turn simple cooked rice into a flavourful dish. Sauté grated or finely chopped amla with mustard seeds, curry leaves, green chillies and peanuts, then combine the mixture with rice. The preparation is similar to lemon rice but has its own distinctive tart flavour.
4. Blend a Fresh Amla Chutney
For a quick accompaniment, blend amla with coriander, mint, green chilli, ginger and roasted cumin. If the chutney is too sour, add a small amount of jaggery to balance the taste. It goes well with parathas, idlis, dosas and savoury snacks.
5. Prepare Amla Pickle
For those who enjoy bold, tangy flavours, amla pickle is an easy option. Mix amla pieces with mustard seeds, spices, salt and oil and allow the flavours to develop. As with other pickles, keep portions moderate because they can contain significant amounts of salt and oil.
6. Add Amla to Smoothies
Amla can also be incorporated into a smoothie. Blend a small amount with banana, apple, cucumber or mint. Using naturally sweet fruits can soften the tartness of amla, making the drink easier to enjoy without adding much extra sugar.
7. Mix It Into Dal
Grated or finely chopped amla can give a simple dal a subtle sour flavour. Add it while cooking moong or toor dal and finish the dish with a tempering of cumin, garlic, mustard seeds or curry leaves. It is an easy way to bring amla into a regular home-cooked meal.
Amla does not have to be eaten raw to be part of your diet. From candy and smoothies to raita, rice and dal, these preparations offer different ways to enjoy its distinctive tang while adding variety to everyday meals.
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