Solkadhi

Ingredients:

15-20 pieces of dried kokum

1 cup grated fresh coconut

Salt to taste

1 inch piece of ginger (chopped)

1 teaspoon chopped green chili peppers

1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

Instructions:

Rinse 15-20 pieces of dried kokum lightly with water. Soak them in a cup of hot water for 30 minutes. Mash the soaked kokum nicely in the water and squeeze with your palms. Discard the pulp. The color of the solkadhi will depend on the quality of kokum used. It ranges from brownish to dark pinkish.

Add 1 cup grated fresh coconut to a blender along with e inch piece of ginger (chopped) and 1 tsp chopped green chili pepper. Add 1 cup of water and blend to make a smooth paste.

Strain the coconut mixture using a fine mesh strainer to get thick coconut milk.

Transfer the leftover coconut pulp back to the blender. Add another cup of water and blend again for 8-10 seconds. Strain again to get thin coconut milk.

Add thick and thin coconut milk and kokum water to a large non-reactive mixing bowl or jug.

Add salt to taste, 1 tbsp chopped cilantro, and a cup of water, and mix well. Solkadhi is ready. Chill it for a few hours before serving. If you want to serve it right away, add a few ice cubes to the serving glasses.