Manthakkali vatha Kuzhambu

Vatha kuzhambu can be done with manthakkali or sundakai. You get this vathal readymade. Otherwise, they soak these manthakkali or sundakai in buttermilk  with salt and sun dry them to make these vathals. Sundakai vathal taste little bitter.

Ingredients:

Manthakkali vathal - 1 fistful
Tamarind - lemon size
Tomato - 1
Chilly powder - 2 tsp
Salt - as per taste
Gingelly oil - 1/4 cup
Vatha kuzhambu powder - 2 tsp

For seasoning :

Mustard - 1 tsp
Curry leaves - 5
Hing - 1 tsp
Dried onions - 1 tsp(optional)

Method:

Soak tamarind in hot water for 10 mins and extract a thick consistency of tamarind water. Set aside.

In a heavy bottomed pan, add oil and fry the vathal and keep it separately. In the same oil add tomatoes after it turns mushy add tamarind water, red chilly powder, vatha kuzhambu powder and salt. Let it boil till it get thickened and the oil separates at the corner.

At this stage, add manthakali vathal which is fried and allow to boil for few more minutes. Give seasoning with 1 tsp of oil and add the ingredients in the same order and transfer in the serving bowl.

Note:


Vatha Kuzhambu powder:

Chana dal - 2 tbsp

Coriander seeds - 4 tbsp
Curry leaves - 10
Fenugreek seeds - 1 tsp

Red chillies - 10

Hing - 1/2 tsp
Sesmae oil - 1 tbsp

In a heavy bottomed pan add oil and fry all the ingredients one by one. Cool it. In the blender, add all the ingredients together and powder it. Store in a air- tight container.