Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Family Favorites - Masal Vadai Kuzhambhu

I thought of writing about the dishes that I loved growing up, ones that brings back memories every time I make them at home(even now), ones that are favorites of a particular member of the family , ones that amma makes often on repeated requests from us..ones that are Grandma's special..well , the list continues...Hence this family favorite series. This is my second post in this one, but honestly this kuzhambhu should have been in the first post.
Generally any tamarind based gravy with a main ingredient is referred to as 'Kuzhambhu' and it forms an integral part of any Tamilian Menu. This one is prepared with the Masala vadai as the main ingredient. The paruppu vadai soaked in the tamarind gravy is a delicacy and its such a favorite at our home.My mother makes this as a special dish, whenever we have some vegetarian guests for lunch.
You dont have to make any side dish or veggies, just some papads will fulfill the entire meal, because I am sure that your guests will not reach out for the rasam or curd to end the meal.

For the Masala Vadai:
Ingredients:
1 cup Channa dhal
1 green chili
1 tsp sombu/fennel seeds
1 medium onion
curry leaves

Method.
Soak the channa dhal for atleast 3 hrs.
Grind the dhal along with sombhu and salt, without adding water.
The mixture should be coarse in texture.
Slice the onion thinly and add to the dhal mixture.
Add the finely chopped chilli and curry leaves.
Mix well and make equal sized balls.
Heat oil in a pot, flatten each ball and deep fry them in medium heat.
Note:
The vadai's should be thick and soft inside, not thin and crispy.

For the Kuzhambhu
Ingredients:
Lemon sized tamarind
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped tomato
1 green chilli
1 inch ginger finly chopped
few curry leaves.
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp urad dhal
1 tsp fenugreek seeds
11/2 tsp chilli powder
3 tsp coriander powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
salt to taste

Method
Soak tamarind in 1 cup of water
Extract the pulp completely and add 3 more cups of water to it.
To the extract add all the dry powders and salt.
Take 2 tblsp of oil in a wide bottomed pot.
Add mustard, urad dhal, fenugreek, and curryleaves.
When the mustard pops, add the thinly sliced onion, ginger, green chilli and fry till translucent.
Add the chopped tomatoes and cook till mushy.
To this add the tamarind mixture and close with a lid.
let it boil for approximatly 10 mins or until the raw smell goes.
Reduce the heat to minimum and add all the vadai's.
Switch of the stove after 2 mins. Close with lid.
Let it sit for an hour before serving.

Note:
If the kuzhambhu is watery, crush one or two vadai's to help thicken the gravy.
Check for salt before adding the vadai's.
You can also use 3tsp of sambhar powder instead of chilli pwd and coriander powder.

21 comments:

Pavithra Elangovan said...

Masal vadai kuzhambhu looks soooooo tempting.. Loved the idea of masal vadai i tamarind gravy.. yummy...

Suji said...

wow..Mouthwatering curry Sumi..Beautiful click..What a color !!

Love
Kairali sisters

Cool Lassi(e) said...

That looks divine dear. Love the idea of vadai in tamarind sauce.

FewMinute Wonders said...

Masal vadai is by itself awesome you have taken it to another level by adding it to kozhambu. Very nice.

Soma Pradhan said...

I tried maiking them once . was disaster..Your recipe looks perfect...Shud book mark it

Unknown said...

This is new to me....adding vadai in kolambu is a nice idea

Myvegfare said...

your masala vadai kuzhambhu reminded me of my FIL asks to add this masala vadai in Morkuzhumbu!!, I have only eaten with kuzhumbhu!! not this way!!, sounds interesting!!

Myvegfare said...

your masala vadai kuzhambhu reminded me of my FIL asks to add this masala vadai in Morkuzhumbu!!, I have only eaten with kuzhumbhu!! not this way!!, sounds interesting!!

FH said...

Must try this once. I love Chana dal vadas, with gravy can imagine the taste.

San said...

Never tried masal vada kuzhambu,all i know is more kuzhambu with vada.Guess it would have been spicy n flavorful.Nice clicks.

kitchen queen said...

looks very tempting inviting and mouth watering.

Preethi Rajeev said...

This looks so delicious, nice color.

dreamydelights.blogspot.com

Jayanthy Kumaran said...

wow such a spicy n rich kuzhambu...so appetizing.
First time here...you have a gorgeous collection of recipes here..glad to follow u.
You are most welcome to visit my space.

Sanyukta Gour(Bayes) said...

looks so delcious and mothwatering...awesome clciks..

first time here...u have a lovely space...just started blogging..and love to add u in my list..
ur comments/suggestions r highly appreciated..happy blogging...following u>>>>>>



sanyuktagour(bayes)
http://creativesanyukta.blogspot.com/

Parita said...

Looks very tasty and yummy..no wonder its fmaily favorite :)

Unknown said...

Vadai kuzhambu looks spicy and yumm

Suma Gandlur said...

Intereating recipe. I had never heard about it.
It's like kadhi pakodi.:)

Priya Suresh said...

Masala vada kuzhambu, looks absolutely divine Sumi..Yumm!!

AdukalaVishesham said...

wow curry looks spicy and tasty.. we have never tasted this one before.. but have seen this in many blogs and looks like this recipe is something we should give a try..

Aruna Manikandan said...

looks spicy and delicious dear:-)

Unknown said...

First time here..Kuzhambu looks tangy and delish:)

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