Cooling & Gut-Friendly Jonna Ambali – A Telugu Summer Superdrink!"

Introduction:

Jonna Ambali is a traditional Telangana and Andhra summer drink made with jowar flour (sorghum), water, curd, and spices. Naturally cooling, high in fiber, and gut-friendly, it helps in hydration, digestion, and provides sustained energy. It's the perfect desi probiotic alternative!

Ingredients:

• Jowar (Sorghum) flour – 3 tbsp
• Water – 2½ to 3 cups
• Curd (yogurt) – ½ cup (whisked)
• Green chili – 1 (finely chopped, optional)
• Ginger – ½ inch piece (grated)
• Curry leaves – 4 to 5
• Cumin seeds – ½ tsp
• Salt – as needed
• Coriander leaves – few (chopped)

Step-by-Step-Instructions:

• 1. In a pan, mix jowar flour with ½ cup water to make a smooth slurry.
• 2. Add 2 cups water and cook on medium flame, stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
• 3. Once it thickens (about 7–10 mins), turn off the flame and let it cool completely.
• 4. After cooling, add whisked curd, salt, and mix well.
• 5. For seasoning, heat a tsp of oil, add cumin, chopped chili, curry leaves, ginger – sauté and mix into the ambali.
• 6. Garnish with coriander leaves. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Tips:

• 1. Always stir continuously while cooking to avoid lumps.
• 2. Let it cool completely before adding curd.
• 3. Use fresh curd for best taste.
• 4. Adjust water based on your preferred consistency – thin or thick.
• 5. You can skip the seasoning for a simpler version.

Health Benefits

• Cooling Effect: Jonna Ambali naturally cools the body, making it an ideal summer drink in hot climates.
• Gut-Friendly: It is fermented, supporting good gut bacteria and aiding digestion.
• Rich in Fiber: Jowar (sorghum) is high in fiber, improving digestion and preventing constipation.
• Hydrating: Made with plenty of water, it keeps you hydrated and replenishes electrolytes.
• Diabetic Friendly: Jowar has a low glycemic index, making it a safer choice for people managing blood sugar.
• Gluten-Free: Naturally gluten-free, it's suitable for people with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
• Detoxifying: Helps flush out toxins and promotes better metabolic health.