Ginger Thokku - Inji Thokku - Homemade Ginger Thokku (Inji Thokku)

Ginger Thokku - Inji Thokku - Homemade Ginger Thokku (Inji Thokku) | Perfect for Curd Rice

Ginger Thokku, also known as Inji Thokku, is a traditional South Indian condiment that is loved for its bold flavour and medicinal benefits. During my childhood, my grandmother used to prepare many varieties of thokku at home. I still remember enjoying her style of cooking, especially the generous use of oil and jaggery that made every thokku taste divine and stay fresh for a long time.

This Ginger Thokku is my own kitchen experiment inspired by her methods. It turned out to be a big hit at home and tasted absolutely delicious with curd rice. You can also mix it with hot rice and enjoy it as Inji Puli Sadam. Watch the video carefully and try this traditional ginger thokku at home.

Important Tips for Preparing Ginger Thokku

1. Peel the ginger and rinse it well. Chop the ginger into medium-sized pieces. If chopped too finely, ginger may taste bitter. Since the ginger is sautéed and then ground, medium-sized pieces work best.

2. Instead of grinding, you may also grate the ginger using a cheese grater. However, this method takes more time. Choose whichever is convenient for you.

3. Tamarind and gingelly oil (sesame oil) act as natural preservatives for thokku. Do not reduce their quantity. Since we are not using preservatives like vinegar, sufficient oil and tamarind are essential.

4. After adding tamarind extract, the mixture will splutter a lot. Stir patiently and continuously. Always use a heavy-bottomed kadai for best results.

5. Jaggery is the star ingredient in this thokku. It balances the flavours beautifully. Do not skip it or replace it with white sugar or other sweeteners.

6. Once the thokku is ready, keep it in the kadai itself and allow it to cool completely before transferring to a clean bottle. After one day, the thokku thickens further and oil will float on top, indicating proper preparation.

Medicinal Values of Ginger

Ginger is widely known for its powerful medicinal properties:
Helps improve digestion and reduces bloating
Relieves cold, cough, and throat irritation
Reduces nausea and improves gut health
Has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
Boosts immunity and overall metabolism
Including ginger thokku in moderation is a great way to enjoy both taste and health benefits.

Here is the video link for Ginger Thokku

Ginger Thokku Recipe Details

Ingredients – Ginger Thokku (Inji Thokku)

Ginger – 1 cup (peeled and chopped)
Tamarind – lemon-sized ball
Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp
Red chilli powder – 1.5 tbsp
Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp
Fenugreek seeds – 1/2 tsp
Jaggery – 3 tbsp
Mustard seeds (for tempering) – 1 tsp
Asafoetida – 1/4 tsp
Curry leaves – few
Gingelly oil (sesame oil) – 1/2 cup
Salt – as required

Method – How to Prepare Ginger Thokku

Soak tamarind in hot water for 30 minutes. Extract thick tamarind water using about 1 cup of water and keep aside.
Heat a pan and dry roast fenugreek seeds on low flame. Add mustard seeds and roast until aromatic. Transfer to a plate and allow it to cool.
In the same pan, add 1/8 cup oil. Once hot, add chopped ginger and sauté on medium flame until the ginger changes colour. Switch off the flame and allow it to cool.
Grind the sautéed ginger with required salt into a coarse paste. Add roasted fenugreek and mustard seeds with little water and grind again.
Heat a heavy-bottomed kadai and add 1/4 cup oil. Add mustard seeds and allow them to splutter. Add asafoetida and curry leaves. Then add the ground ginger paste and sauté well.
Add tamarind extract, turmeric powder, and red chilli powder. Mix well and allow it to cook on medium flame. Stir frequently.
Once the mixture thickens slightly, add jaggery and keep stirring continuously until well combined.
When the thokku thickens further, add the remaining oil and cook for a few more minutes. Switch off the flame and keep the thokku in the hot kadai.
After 2 hours, once completely cooled and thickened, transfer to a clean glass bottle.
Delicious Ginger Thokku is ready!When refrigerated, it stays fresh for up to 2 months.

This Ginger Thokku post and reels received many likes and shares on my Facebook page Virundhombal. I am very happy to see that without any boosting, the post reached many people and got wonderful responses.

Do try this ginger thokku for your family — it is definitely going to be a mega hit. Try it and share your comments and feedback.

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