Amla, also known as Indian gooseberry, has long enjoyed a reputation as one of nature’s most nutrient-rich fruits. Packed with vitamin C and known for its tangy, slightly bitter flavour, amla often finds its way into traditional remedies and health tonics.
But what if amla didn’t have to be something you consume only for its health benefits?
With a little creativity, this humble fruit can become a delicious part of your everyday meals. Here are three simple recipes that make adding amla to your daily diet both easy and enjoyable.
Garlic Amla Chutney
If your breakfast plate feels incomplete without chutney, this recipe deserves a spot in your kitchen. The sharpness of garlic, the freshness of mint and coriander, and the tanginess of amla come together to create a flavour-packed accompaniment for idlis, dosas, and even steamed rice.
Prep time: 5 mins | Cook time: 10 mins | Servings: 3
Ingredients
- Amla 8
- Sambar onions 6
- Garlic 10 cloves
- Green chillies 2
- Mint leaves 1/2 cup
- Coriander leaves 1/2 cup
- Salt to taste
- Oil 2 tsp
- Mustard seeds 1/2 tsp
- Urad dal 1/4 tsp
- Chana dal 1/4 tsp
- Curry leaves 1 sprig
- Cashew nuts 10
Method:
- Wash the amla and cut into pieces and remove the seeds. Wash mint leaves and coriander leaves cut and set aside
- Take a heavy-bottomed pan and place it on the stove and add oil to it. Keep the heat medium.
- When the oil is hot, add the sambar onions and garlic and saute until the onions are translucent.
- Add amla, mint leaves and coriander leaves. Saute well for 2 minutes until the leaves wilt. Turn off the heat.
- Allow the amla garlic mixture to cool.
- Once cooled, transfer the amla garlic mixture to a mixer jar with salt to taste and blend to a thick paste.
- Heat a teaspoon of oil in a tadka pan, once the oil is hot add mustard seeds, urad dal and chana dal. Add curry leaves and cashew nuts and fry until the nuts turn light brown.
- Add the prepared tempering to the chutney and mix well.
- Serve with idli or dosa or steamed rice along with ghee.
Amla Jaggery Launji
Looking for something that balances sweet, tangy, and spicy flavours? Amla jaggery launji does exactly that. This traditional-style relish pairs beautifully with rotis, parathas, and even simple dal-rice meals.
Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 25 mins | Servings: 1 cup
Ingredients
- Amla 8-10
- Mustard oil 2 tbsp
- Mustard seeds 1/2 tsp
- Fenugreek seeds 1/4 tsp
- Nigella seeds 1/2 tsp
- Fennel seeds 1 tsp
- Cumin seeds 1 tsp
- Asafoetida 1 pinch
- Turmeric powder 1 pinch
- Chilli powder 1/2 tsp
- Black salt 1/2 tsp
- Salt 3/4 tsp
- Jaggery powder 1/2 cup
- Water 1/2 cup
Method
- Wash and steam amlas in a steamer for 10 minutes. Cool and slice the amla removing the seeds.
- Heat up oil in a pan on medium heat. Once hot, temper with black mustard seeds and crackle them. Add rest of the whole spices and asafoetida and fry for a minute taking care not to burn them on low heat.
- Add the sliced amla and sprinkle chilli powder and salt. Add water and cook for 5-6 minutes.
- Add jaggery and cover and cook for 8-10 minutes on low heat.
- Remove from the fire and add the black salt. Cool and store in an air-tight container in a refrigerator.
Beetroot, Amla and Pudina Juice
For those who prefer sipping their nutrients, this vibrant juice is a refreshing way to start the day. Beetroot adds natural sweetness, cucumber keeps it light, and mint lends a cooling freshness that balances amla’s tang.
Prep time: 10 mins | Servings: 4
Ingredients
- Beetroot 1
- Amla 1
- Mint leaves 1/2 cup
- Cucumber 1/2
- Black pepper powder 1/2 tsp
- Cumin powder 1/2 tsp
- Black salt 1/4 tsp
- Ice cubes
- Water
Method:
- Wash and peel the beetroot. Wash and cut the amla in pieces and remove the seed. Wash and cut mint leaves. Peel and cut cucumber.
- Roast the cumin seeds and grind to a fine powder.
- Combine beetroot, amla, mint leaves, cucumber, black salt, black pepper powder and roasted cumin seeds in a mixer jar.
- Add half cup of water and a few ice cubes and grind until the veggies are fully pureed. Once well blended add another half cup of water to make a desired consistency.
- You may add some honey if required.
Adding amla to your daily meals doesn’t have to be complicated. With a little experimentation, this humble fruit can find its place in everything from breakfast spreads to midday refreshments. Sometimes, the simplest ingredients offer the most possibilities—and amla is a perfect example of that.
Click here to buy fresh amla and start experimenting with these recipes
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