Ambula Raai: Sun-dried Green Mango in Mustard Paste

Ambula is sun-dried green mango, which is primarily used to sour curries in Odisha (formerly Orissa), an eastern Indian state on the Bay of Bengal. It is prepared by mixing green mango wedges with salt and then dried in the sunlight. After sun drying, these mango wedges are preserved in earthen pots for several days and months.

Here is a recipe of an authentic Odia dish, where Ambula is used as the prime ingredient.

Ambula Raai

Raai is nothing but a dish prepared using mustard paste in odia culinary. Ambula rai has a mixed taste of sweet and savoury and goes best with the rice.

Ingredients: 5-6 pieces ambula or Sundry green mango wedges, half cup grated coconut, 1 cup yogurt, mustard seed (2 tbsp + 1 tsp), 2 green chilis, 2 tbsp Sugar, mustard oil, red chilli, curry leaf and salt to taste.

Let’s prepare it.

1. First, soak the ambula or the sun dried green mango wedges in water for minimum 1-2 hours.
2. Then take a blender and put green chillies and mustard seeds to grind into a smooth paste.
3. Now, tale a mixing bowl and put curd and add the mustard paste, sugar, salt and grated coconut to it. Mix well.
4. Then add the soaked ambula or sun dried green mangoes and mix well.
5. Now take a pan and add mustard oil. Add mustard seeds once the oil is heated. When the seeds start to splutter add curry leaves and red chillies. Fry well.
6. Then add this tempering on the dry mango mixture. Then cover it with a lid for 1-2 hours so that the flavour is infused well.
7. Now serve the ambula raai as a mouth watering accompaniment with rice.

Happy Cooking!