Vatha Kuzhambu/Kolambu ( Typical Tamil Nadu Brahmin Style , No Onion No Garlic)

This is an traditional Tamil Nadu brahmin style gravy/curry served with hot rice. Today I will share how to prepare "Manathakkali Vatha kuzhambu" ?. Very simple recipe. Manatha kali will be sauteed with sesame oil first and then cooked with Fresh ground spices and tamarind juice to make vatha kuzhambu.

You can prepare this vatha kuzhambu using ladies finger or brinjal/egg plant too instead of manathakkali.Serve this delicious vatha kuzhambu with hot rice, papad and spoonful of ghee. Enjoy !

recipe source: My mother in law

In english manatha kali is known as 'black night shade', 'sunberry' and 'wonder cherry'.In Kannada this plant is called "kaage hannu gida".Want to know more about this dried fruit ?? Please check this wiki link for full information ..

Serves 3-4

Ingredients:

4-5 tsp Manathakkali vathal 

Ball of one medium lemon size - Tamarind

salt to taste

1 tsp turmeric powder

for seasoning:

2-3 tbsp - sesame oil/gingely oil

2 tsp toor dal 

1-2 red chilly split into halves

1/2 tsp asafoetida

10-15 curry leaves

    

for grinding:( for preparing spice powder)

     4-5  red chillies,

     3 tsp Coriander Seeds

     2 tsp toor dal

     1 tsp Whole Black Pepper

     1 tsp  Cumin Seeds

     2 tsp  Fenugreek /methi seeds

     1 tsp raw rice ( optional)

     2 tsp urad dal 

How To Prepare ?

• Dry roast all the ingredients mentioned under "for grinding".Once it cools down grind everything into a fine powder and keep it ready.
  
• Soak tamarind in hot water for 30 minutes. Extract the juice out of it and keep it aside.
• In a big kadai/ pan,heat sesame oil.Add in toor dal mustard seeds and red chilly. After mustard seed pops out,add in asafoetida and manathakkali vathal. Fry for 1-2 minutes.
  
• Now add turmeric powder, curry leaves and ground spice powder to it. Mix well and fry for few secs.Now add in tamarind extract and salt. Approximately you will have 2  to 21/2 cups of tamarind extract. Keep the flame in medium and cook until it thickens and leaves oil. It takes around 20-25 minutes.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

                           

Tips/Alternative:

• You can prepare this using ladies finger,egg plant/bringal or onion.
• You can store this in fridge for almost a week and consume it whenever you want.
• Increase the number of red chilies according to your spice level.