Manathakaali Vathai Kozhambu

Manu had requested for the manathakaali (black nightshade) version of the vathai kozhambu, which is a household favorites  It gave me the opportunity to learn another mouth watering home comforting food for my travels. However, since it is high in tamarind and oil, the dish should be used sparingly.

Ingredients
Manathakali dried ½ cup
Tamarind, size of lime
Sambhar podi 2 tsps
Turmeric ½ tsp

For seasoning
Mustard ½ tsp
Asafoetida 1/2 tsp
Fenugreek seeds ¼ tsp
Tuvar dal  ½-1 tsp
Dried chillies 4
Curry leaves, a few sprigs
Jaggery ½ tsp
Salt to taste
Rice flour ½- ¾ tsp
Sesame oil 2 tbps

Method
1. Boil the tamarind in 1 cup hot water and mash it well. Filter the tamarind water and set aside.
2. In a pan, add cooking oil (1tbsp) and fry the dry manathakaali till they become a deep brown.
3. Remove them from the kadai and transfer to a plate.
4. In the same kadai, heat two tbsp of sesame oil and splutter mustard seeds.
5. Add fenugreek, tuvar dal, asafoetida, chillies and let it fry a golden brown.
6. Now add the pulp of tamarind, a thick extract and add it to the pan. Depending on the consistency, you can dilute it with a little water, but make sure it is not runny.
7. Add turmeric, sambhar powder and salt and let the kozhambu boil until the raw smell of tamarind evaporates.
8. Add the fried manathakaali to the kozhambu followed by jaggery.
Note: You must powder the jaggery to help it dissolve easily.
9. Allow it to boil for 5-10 minutes till you get an aromatic flavour.
10. If the kozhambu is thin, make a paste of rice flour mixed with water and add it to the kozhambu. 

Serve hot with rice and appalam.

Comments

my fav..delicious kozhambu...
AquaM said…
Absolutely divine in moderation or accompanied with curd rice :)
Great you are able to preserve traditional tamil recipes and share it with the world !
Manatakkali is a herb too - so thats its own value !
AquaM said…
Thank you CP. It is a fantastic herb for the system and a favourite in my home.

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