Vatral Kuzhambu / Vatha Kulambu / Dried Berry Tamarind Gravy

   Some food always remain dear to your heart....okay.....well.....taste buds:-).One of those foods which brings the authentic Tamil Nadu memories back is Vatral Kuzhambu or simply Vathakuzhambu.Vatral is nothing but sun dried vegetables.I have used Manathakkali Vatral(a form of berry which is known as 'Black Nightshade' in english),Feel free to try this out with any Vatral or veggies like brinjal or drumstick together with the Vatral you choose.

The berry and its leaves hold quite some medicinal values:

*can treat digestive disorders

*has proven to be effective on Asthma patients

*treats stomach ulcers

  Now let us move on to the recipe.Thanks to my 2 year old son for sleeping a little longer(which is very unusual for a busy bee like him) and giving me some extra time to try out this after a long time:-).

Ingredients:

Shallots/small onions - 6 to 7 in no.

Garlic - 5 pods

Manathakkali Vatral - 1 tbsp

Tomato - 1 small

Tamarind - lemon sized ball / Tamarind paste - 1 1/2 tsp (adjust according to your taste)

Coriander Powder - 2 tsp

Red Chilli Powder - 1 1/2 tsp

Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp

Sakthi Vathal Kuzhambu Powder - 1 tsp (or any Sambar Powder - 1 tsp)

Rice flour - 1 tsp

Fenugreek powder - 1 tsp (or fenugreek seeds will also do) 

Curry leaves - 1 sprig

Sesame oil (nallennai) - 5 tsp 

Preparation:

1.Heat oil in a kadai and add fenugreek powder(or seeds) as soon as the oil gets hot(Make sure not to burn the fenugreek powder as it might give a bitter taste)

2.Add garlic pods and fry for 2 minutes

3.Then add shallots and fry for another 2-3 minutes till the onions turn translucent

4.Add half of the curry leaves now

5.Add tomato along with turmeric,coriander,red chilli,vathal kuzhambu(or sambar) powder and fry till the raw smell goes off.

6.Let oil ooze out and mash the tomato well with a spatula.

7.Now add the tamarind paste and add 2 cups of water to this.Let this come to a boil.Simmer

8.Finally pour 2 tsps of water to the rice flour to make a paste of it and then add it to the kuzhambu.Mix the kuzhambu with a spatula and you will notice the kuzhambu thickening a little.

9.Add rest of the curry leaves along with 1 tbsp of sesame oil and let this thicken for some more time.

Your vatral kuzhambu is now ready.Savor with steamed rice and appalam :-)

Tastes heavenly ;-)!!!

Happy Lunching!!!