Horse gram is often consumed by rural areas of southern India as a whole meal, as soups, or as sprouts. In Andhra Pradesh, Horse gram is commonly known as Ulava and is used in preparing a very popular dish namely Ulava Charu (Horse gram soup). This helps in clearing the digestive tract of worm infections, reduces flatulence and acidity, and keeps the digestive system in good condition. Ulavacharu is a traditional Andhra special dish originating from Krishna and Guntur districts. 

Ulavacharu is a soupy (rasam/ saaru) kind of dish made from horse gram (Ulavalu in Telugu and Kollu in Tamil). It’s a protein-rich, low-fat food that contains a high amount of dietary fibers and is known to lower cholesterol, which helps to reduce obesity. It looks thick, dark in color and it has a spicy, tangy taste with an earthy smell and flavor. Ulavacharu is usually served with plain rice adding a dollop of fresh cream, butter, or ghee.

Health Benefits: 

Horse gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum) is a pulse crop widely cultivated and consumed in India since ancient times, and native to the south-east Asian subcontinent and tropical Africa. The US National Academy of Sciences has identified this legume as a potential food source for the future, thanks to its exceptional nutrition profile, drought resistance, and general hardiness. Horse gram is the most protein-rich lentil found on the planet. It is very high-powered. That’s why racehorses are fed with this gram, which is called horse gram in the market.

Health benefits of Horse Gram:- Horse gram may not be invited by the sound of it but its qualities are undeniably wonderful. It is:

High in iron, calcium, and protein. Horse gram has the highest calcium content among pulses and is one of the richest vegetarian sources of protein.

low in fat and high in carbohydrate content

low in lipid and sodium content, and its slow digestible starch makes it ideal for diabetic and obese patients

The health benefits of horse gram seem to be innumerable. Just name a health issue and “kollu-power” will work for it!

Traditional medicinal texts description.

Ayurvedic cuisine also recommends horse gram for persons suffering from jaundice or water retention. Rheumatism, worms, conjunctivitis, and piles are also said to quail before the power of horse gram.

Eating plenty of horse gram can help in the management of obesity as it can attack fatty tissue, thanks to its phenol content.

Kollu also can generate heat and energy in your system and therefore keeps you warm on a cold winter day.

Buy a homemade and handmade Ulava Charu Paste/ Powder from VJM Foods. We are supported and recognized by the Government of India as a women empowerment startup and Encouraging Farmers towards Organic Farming. Check out our website vjmfoods.com to see their Andhra special pickles, pulihora paste, masala powders, traditional sweets, and fryums. Try our readymade ulavacharu paste and make it wounder in your kitchen. Making ulavacharu is a lengthy process that involves hours of cooking. But we at VJM Foods have made this authentically on wood-fired mud stoves or poyyi by boiling Ulavalu for 14 to 15 hours and then made this readymade paste adding tamarind, spices, and is prepared without any preservatives. You can make and enjoy this healthy ulavacharu using this paste effortlessly at home.

All you have to do is just mix the paste in water, simmer and boil till thick. You can do the tempering with or without onion, garlic as you like. I did small modifications in this recipe by adding chili powder as the spice level is less in this paste. So you can adjust it as per your taste buds. Try it for your weekend lunch. The smell was amazingly good. While boiling, its aroma was wafting through the entire house which tempted you to eat. We are sure everyone would love to try this delicious and delightful dish undoubtedly. Apart from the spice level, everything is good in this paste. Friends do check out and buy this ulavacharu paste from VJM Foods. It will be helpful for bachelors and people who travel abroad to make a quick lunch. VJM Foods is giving a shelf life of 9 months for this product under refrigeration. I hope you find the price reasonable as well. Ok, let us see how to make this yummy and tasty Andhra special Ulavacharu easily, instantly, and quickly using this readymade paste from VJM Foods.

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup = 240ml

Readymade Ulavacharu paste – 3 tbsp (adjust as per taste)

Water – 2 cups

Red chili powder – 1/2 to 1 tsp (as per taste)

Salt – as needed

To Temper

Cooking oil – 1 tbsp

Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp

Urad dal – 1/2 tsp

Cumin seeds – 1/4 tsp

Red chili – 2 (pinched into two)

Green chili – 1 (slit into two)

Curry leaves – few

Big onion – 1 (finely chopped)

HOW TO MAKE ULAVACHARU USING PASTE:

In a bowl, take 2 cups of water and mix 3 to 4 tbsp of Ulavacharu paste.

Heat a Kadai and add this diluted Ulavacharu. Boil for a few minutes in low flame.

Check for taste and add some chili powder, salt if needed.

In the meantime, heat a small Kadai with oil. Temper mustard seeds, urad dal, and cumin seeds.

Add red chili, green chili, and curry leaves. Saute onion till transparent.

Add to the boiling Ulavacharu. Boil for a few minutes till it reaches desired consistency.

Serve hot with plain rice adding butter, ghee, or fresh cream. Enjoy!