Kara kuzhambu

This is a famous Chettinad delight..It is a spicy and tangy gravy due to the addtion of tamarind..It can be prepared according to one's own taste by adding dhalls and vegetables like drumstick,brinjal etc.I prepared this by adding more garlic to it..It tastes best with rice and pappad..

Ingredients

Onion - 1 large sized

Tomato - 1

Garlic cloves - 6 to 8

Tamarind juice -1/2 cup

Turmeric powder - 1/2 teaspoon

Chilli powder - 1 teaspoon

Jaggery - 1 spoon (optional)adds more tanginess

Salt to taste

For seasoning

Mustard seeds,cumin seeds,fenugreek seeds –1teaspoon each

Channa dal ,urad dhall- 1 teaspoon each

Dry red chilies -4 or 5

Curry leaves – 1spring

Hing/asafoetida

Oil

To grind

Coconut - 2 spoons

Peppercorns - 1 spoon

Cumin seeds - 1 teaspoon

Red chilli - 2

Coriander seeds - 1 teaspoon

Directions

Heat some oil in a pan and add the whole garlic cloves.Cook for 2 minutes and set aside..Add oil again and add the grated garlic fllowed by the chopped onion.Saute till they turn translucent..Add the tomatoes and cook for two minutes.Add the chilli powder, turmeric powder, sugar and salt and bring it to a boil..Cool the mixture and grind it into a fine paste.

Bring the ground mixture to the pan again.Add the tamarind juice and the ground powder obtained by grinding coconut,chillies,peppercorn,cumin and coriander seeds..Adjust salt as per your taste..Add the whole garlic cloves and bring the gravy to a boil..

In a seperate vessel do the seasoning with the ingredients listed above..Add the seasoning to the gravy and serve hot with rice..

Sending this to JFI: Tamarind hosted by Sig..

And voting has begun for OS2.If you like my apple pie please vote for me..Do check out other exciting entries..