Manathakkali Vatral (Vatha) Kuzhambu (Sun dried Black Night Shade Gravy)

Ingredients

Dry Roast

• Red chillies – 5
• Red gram – 2 tsp
• Black gram – 1/2 tsp
• Pepper corns – 1/2 tsp
• Coriander seeds – 2 tsp
• Mustard – a pinch
• Cumin seeds – 1/2 tsp
• Fenugreek seeds – 1/4 tsp
• Curry leaves – 15  

Other Ingredients

• Shallots – 15
• Garlic – 1
• Tamarind – lemon size
• Turmeric powder – 3/4 tsp
• Vatral/Vathal – a handful
• Chana dhal – 1 tsp
• Mustard seeds – a pinch
• Cumin seeds – 1/2 tsp
• Asafotida – 1/4 tsp
• Jaggery – 1/2 lemon size
• curry leaves –  few
• Oil – 5 tsp
• Salt as needed

 Method

• Dry Roast all the ingredients under the topic dry roast.
• Grind it to coarse powder and keep aside.
• Now Grind the shallots and garlic to a fine paste.
• To this paste add the powder and again grind to a smooth paste.
• In a kadai, add the oil.
• When it is hot, add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves, asafoetida, chana dhal, vatral and fry it.
• To this add the smooth paste and mix well.
• Keep in low flame as the bubbles forms and splits out.
• To this add the tamarind water, turmeric powder, salt and jaggery.
• Cook till the oil separates out.
• Serve hot with white rice.