Aadi Perukku | Aadi 18 Lunch Menu #3

We are starting Week #3 of the Thali and Platter Mela and this week I have chosen ‘Traditional Thalis’ as the theme.The first thali is the Aadi Perukku | Aadi 18 Lunch Menu.

Aadi is the 4th month in the Tamil calendar and it marks the end of summer and the beginning of the monsoon rains.Aadi 18 is celebrated on the 18th day of the Tamil month and it is dedicated to the worship of nature, especially water.

This is a very special day in the Tamil households where prayers and pujas are performed at home and in the temples.

Newly weds go the river banks and offer prayers and change their thali thread. There is an air of festivity in and around the places that are close to water bodies like lakes / rivers.

They go on a picnic where they sit by the river banks and eat kootanchoru [ a kind of mixed rice and vegetable medley]

The significance and the methods of celebrating this day is even mentioned in the ancient books.

Though we don’t celebrate this festival, I prepare a lunch fit for the occasion.Usually variety / flavored rice varieties are prepared along with a sweet- payasam/ kheer, vadai / fritters and some fried crisps.

Also check out the Aadi 18 Menu #1 and Aadi 18 Menu #2 that I have posted earlier.

This is what I prepared for Aadi 18 this year.

The Aadi Perukku | Aadi 18 Lunch Menu #3 has

• Nellikkai Sadam / Amla Rice
• Puli Sadam / Tamarind Rice
• Milagu Jeeraga Sadam / Pepper Cumin flavored rice
• Thengai Sadam / Coconut Rice
• Thayir Sadam / Curd Rice
• Panchamirtham
• Instant Aval/Poha Vadai
• Sago Crisps

Usually Payasam / Kheer is prepared. This year I made panchamirtham which is a Prasadham /Prasad in Palani Murugan Temple.

It is a combination of 5+ ingredients[pancha =5, amritham -divine nectar] .Banana, kandasari sugar [natural sugar],ghee,honey and cardamom. Dates,raisins, sugar candy[kalkandu] is also added.

Water / milk is not added yet a semi solid consistency is achieved by mashing these ingredients. It is like jam in consistency actually.

There are no preservatives as well.In spite of not adding preservatives, this does not spoil soon even if kept for longer periods in room temperature.

Check out the super easy no cook recipe to prepare Palani Panchamirtham

The recipe of the day is a simple and flavorful rice variety – Milagu Jeeraga Sadam which is made with pepper and cumin. this rice can be made as a part of the regular meal as well. Hop over to the recipe to see how to prepare this easy Milagu Jeeraga Sadam.

Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM#116