Ingredients:

• Tamarind – 1 small Lemon size
• Onion – 1 chopped
• Urad Dal – 1 tsp
• Chana dal – 1 tsp
• sambar powder(home made) – 2.5 tsp
• Asafoetida
• salt to taste
• For Making Instant Mix for Vathakuzhambu-
• Dhania (coriander seeds) – 1 tbsp
• Red Chillies – 12
• Fenugreek seeds – 1 tbsp
• Chana dal – 1 tsp
• Toor Dal – 1 tsp
• Slightly roast them in a very little amount of oil and then grind them together

Method:

1. Soak the tamarind in 2.5 cups of water. Heat 2 tbsp of oil(preferably sesame oil) in a kadai. Add mustard seeds and allow to splutter.
2. Then add urad dal and chana dal (each 1 tsp), fry them till its golden brown.
3. Add chopped onions and saute them till is soft and light brown.
4. Pour the 2.5 cups of tamarind extract over the onions.
5. Add salt, sambhar mix, asafoetida, and allow it to boil for some time.
6. The quantity of the tamarind extract should reduce to 2 cups.
7. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve with rice.
8. Note: Instead of onions, we can also use brinjal, lady’s finger, drumstick and pumpkin (orange).

Recipe courtesy of Soumi Raman