Thutthi Thokku (Indian Mallow) – 100g

Thutthi (Indian mallow) is a soft-leaved plant that grows freely across Tamil Nadu and has long been used in home remedies. Because the leaf on its own is bland, it works particularly well as a thokku — ground and cooked down in wood-pressed groundnut oil with tamarind, mustard, fenugreek, chilli and asafoetida until it thickens and the oil rises.

Serve with hot rice and ghee, with curd rice, or alongside idli and dosa. A teaspoon per meal is plenty.

The oil layer on top is the preservative — leave it undisturbed rather than mixing it in, and always use a clean dry spoon.