VATRAL KUZHAMBU | VATHA KUZHAMBU

Vatral Kuzhambu | Vatha Kuzhambu ( with Manathakkali and Sundakkai vatrals)

Vatral Kuzhambu is an authentic South Indian recipe. This is a tangy and delicious gravy with vatral cooked in tamarind extract blended with the spice of sambar powder. Vatrals are nothing but Sun Dried Vegetables. There are many kinds of vatrals, but the ones most commonly used are Sundakkai and Manathakkali (I used both for this recipe). Serve this kuzhambu with rice and Sutta Appalam.

For this recipe you need

2 tbsps. of Vatral (Sun Dried Vegetable)
1 1/2 cups of Tamarind Extract from Lemon Sized Ball 
Jaggery - little
2 tsp. of Sambar powder
2 tbsp. of sesame oil
Salt
1 tsp. of oil

For seasoning

1 tsp. of mustard seeds
1/2 tsp. of fenugreek
1 tsp. of Thuvar Dal
A pinch of asafoetida

Preparation

Heat Sesame oil and cooking oil, in a heavy bottomed vessel, add the mustard seeds , when they crackle, add the fenugreek, thuvar dal and asafoetida. Fry for a min.(Picture is not shown with it)

Add the vatrals and fry them until golden brown.

Now pour the tamarind extract ,add sambar powder and salt. 

Cook on low heat until thick and bubbly. 

Finally add  jaggery and  cook for a min.

Vatral Kuzhambu is ready to be Served..................

Serve hot with rice and sutta appalam :)

Note:

The Kuzhambu consistency should be slightly thick, if you can't get it then add 2 tsp. of rice flour and allow to cook.

You can add 1 finely chopped tomatoes , this is optional.