Monday, February 10, 2014

Arachuvitta Vatha Kuzhambu (Using Manathakkali Vatthal)



Vatha Kuzhambu is one of my favourites. This is a tangy sauce like preparation, that goes well with rice. It is usually made using dried vegetables or Vathal like Manathakkali, Chundakkai, Kothavarangai etc. But it tastes equally good when made with veggies like shallots, drumstick or even pumkin. My personal favourite is thisChinna Vengaya Vatha Kuzhambu.
As promised in my post, here is my mother's way of making vatha kuzhambu. The freshly ground spices lend an amazing aroma and flavour to it.
I have used Manathakkali vathal in today’s recipe, but feel free to substitute with any other vathal or vegetables like onions, drumstick etc.


Serves - 2 to 3

What you’ll need
  1. Tamarind – gooseberry sized ball
  2. Turmeric Powder – ¼ tsp
  3. Asafoetida/Perumgayam – a generous pinch
  4. Jaggery – 1 tsp
  5. For tempering
  6. Mustard Seeds – ½ tsp
  7. Manathakkali Vatthal – ¼ cup
  8. Gingely Oil/Nalla Ennai – 2 tbsp
  9. Curry Leaves – few

To Roast and Grind
  1. Channa Dal/Kadalai Paruppu – 2 tbsp
  2. Coriander Seeds/Dhaniya – 2 tbsp
  3. Fenugreek Seeds/ Vendayam – ½ tsp
  4. Cumin Seeds – ½ tsp
  5. Whole Black Pepper – ¼ tsp (adjust according to taste)
  6. Dried Red Chilly – 2 or 3 (adjust according to taste)

Method
  1. Soak the tamarind in 1 cup of hot water for 10 minutes. Squeeze and take out the extract and make it about 2.5 cups by adding more water.
  2. Heat a small frying pan, with ½ tsp of oil, and fry all the ingredients mentioned under “to roast and grind”.
  3. Cool, and transfer to a small mixie jar. Powder it first and then add little water and grind to a smooth paste.
  4. Heat a Kadai with 2 tbsp oil, temper with mustard seeds and curry leaves. Then add the Manathakkali vatthal. Fry for couple of minutes or till the vathhal is fried well.
  5. Next add the tamarind extract, turmeric powder and asafoetida. Bring this to boil.
  6. When it starts boiling, add the ground paste and mix well. Add the jaggery and let this boil on medium flame for 10 to 12 minutes, or till the kuzhambu reaches a slightly thick consistency.
  7. Remove from heat and rest it for atleast 10 minutes before serving.
Serve with rice and Paruppu Thogayal or Kootu.



Note:
  1. Since my manathakkali vatthal was very salty, I did not add salt to the kuzhambu, so check and add the salt, else the kuzhambu will become salty.
  2. If you don’t have vathal, you can substitute with any vegetable, like onions, or Drumstick. Add the vegetable after the tempering of mustard seeds and sauté for few minutes before adding the tamarind extract. Also don’t forget to add salt.

18 comments:

nandoos kitchen said...

Lovely, tangy kuzhambu.

Sanoli Ghosh said...

Chana dal kozhumbu looks delicious, a delicious combo with plain rice.

great-secret-of-life said...

I am big fan of kuzhambu with freshly grinded spices.. so tasty

Laxmipriya said...

authentic recipe.. looks too good.. :)

Vimitha Durai said...

Flavorful kuzhambu... Love the fresh masala

Unknown said...

Fragrant & comforting. Love this dish!

Unknown said...

Kuzhambu looks really tempting.. delicious..

Roshni said...

I just stopped by at your space to check if you were alright as I had not seen many posts from you. to my surprise, there was one just there waiting for me. looks fab kaveri... though i make vatta kozhambu often, never made this way.. will try this recipe

Rafeeda AR said...

just a plate of rice... and i'm done!

Eat n Eat little More said...

arachuvitta kuzhambu looks yumm.. wish I could have it right from screen with rice!

Eat n Eat little More said...

arachuvitta kuzhambu looks yumm.. wish I could have it right from screen with rice!

Unknown said...

such an comforting , tangy and delicious kuzhambu :) tempting me dear !!

Prash@YummilyYours said...

Hey! What is manathakkali vathal? looks like a warm winter curry that I would like to try..

Reshmi Mahesh said...

Flavorful yummy kuzhambu...

Hema said...

Love this with the paruppu thogayal..

sulochi said...

\
garlic in large quantity also can be used. After the mustered tempered add peeled garlic fry for some time and continue the same method it turns out very tasty. Vaththa kushambe is one of my favourites also . :-)

shivk8@gmail.com said...

Being a Palkakad I yer myself, one if my favourite. ..vathal kuzhambu......yummmmy :)

Unknown said...

Hi,
How long does this keep well for, please?
Thanks
Tara

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