Iyengar Vatha Kuzhambu
- 12
- November
- 2008
Not a big fan, but make it occasionally for guests!
Ingredients:
Manathakkali Vathal – 1 fistful
Tamarind lemon sized ball
Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp
Chili powder 1 spoon
Jaggery gooseberry size
Rice flour 1-2 spoons
Sesame oil 1/2 cup.
For Seasoning:
Mustard seeds 3 -5 Spoons
Curry leaves 1 large bowlful
Asafoetida 2 spoons
Chana dal 1 cup
Urad dal 1 cup
Dry red chilies 6 numbers
Peppercorns 4
Fenugreek 1/4 spoon
Sesame oil few spoons.
To Be Fried Each Separately in Little Oil and Wet-Ground Together to Thick Paste:(Vatha Kuzhambu masala)
Coriander seeds 2 spoons
Chana dal 1 spoon
Curry leaves 1 twig
Fenugreek seeds 1 spoon
Dry red chilies 6
Asafoetida 1/2 spoon
Sesame oil few spoons.
Wet Grind to thick batter like consistency and set aside!
Note: I used virali manjal, broken into bits and did not use any rice flour for thickening.
Better….fry the ‘vatha kuzhambu masala’ (listed above)ingredients first. Each separately in little oil, till they turn to golden to reddish color. In fact very aromatic! Then wet-grind them together, using very limited water. Set this masala aside.
In a non-reactive bowl, soak tamarind with 1-2 cups of luke warm water for 1-2 hours. In a blender, run this along with the same soaked water and extract a thick tamarind milk. Set aside.
In a heavy bottomed non-stick pan,add few spoons of oil. Fry the dry vathal(either one ‘manathakkali/ sundaikkai). Fry them till they turn to dark brown to black, Set aside.
In a the same pan, heat remaining oil. Now add thick tamarind milk, salt, turmeric powder/ virali manjal’ broken into teeny meeny bits, jaggery, rice flour and chili powder. Cover and cook over medium heat for about 12-15 minutes.
When the tamarind’s raw odor leaves the pan and it starts to consolidate, better add ‘vatha kuzhambu masala’ and ‘fried vathal’! Bring this to boil. Again switch to medium heat and cook without lid. Maybe till the raw odor of wet-ground paste is gone. The gravy should really thicken now. Wait till oil shows up on sides and top. Then remove from heat.
In a separate pan, heat oil, add the tempering spices one by one and wait till they pop. Now run this seasoning over the gravy made above. Always season your gravy at last, like a final touch…it makes it really aromatic!!!
Serve warm with plain steamed rice. A spoon full of ghee to go with it, Heaven! Enjoy!
Hey you cook a lot of authentic fod! Looks spicy n yumm with pappads.
Oh really! Thank you dear.
This vatha kulambu is my all time favorite and my version is a bit different. But your method of making vatha kulambu masala and virali manjal seems attractive.
Wowowww..kuzhambu makes me hungry..my all time favourite…
The vatha kozubu looks yummy. I love this with rice and chips
Sweet Vikki, Yeah I did saw ur vatha kuzhambu dear….mommy makes just the way u do. This recipe was shared by my family friend…suppose to be very authentic version…so thought of sharing with you’all.
Thank you Priya.
Who doen’t Gita…I love them with pappads….chips sounds much interesting!
Hello, Looks great but just a remark. The main difference between iyer and iyengar vatha kulambu is that in Iyengar kulambu, they put the sambar powder(or in this case the spices paste) first in the oil and then the tamarind juice. It brings out the flavor of the masala too. But the color of the kulambu will be a little darker. Just try and let me know how it turned out next time.
Cheers
Hi Malar
I bought manathakkali in an idea of making vatha kuzambhu n found ur blog n i prepared the same way ,except i dint add rice flour,n it turned out to be so tasty,Thank u so much for posting this recepie!
priya
Its good but for vathu kosambu they use only gingalli (nalla Yenne ) oil for adding /mixing with rice to eat its taste so good with gingally oil.
try it out
thanks
suma chary
Hello Chari, Both sesame oil and gingelli oil are the same.:)
Hi Malar,
First time after my marriage i tried vathakuzambu by your guidance. It came out really well like the grand sweets taste of chennai. The credit goes to you
. But i avoided to add fenugreek for seasoning Coz had a fear of bitterness.
Thanks a lot and i am trying your all recipes.
with Regards,
nithya
Hi Nithya,
I am glad that it turned out great. And thank you so much for those compliments…similar to grand snack-Chennai’…means a lot to me:) Nice to know, that you would like to try most of my recipes…kudos:)
Best,
Malar
First time here. You seem to have an exhaustive collection of Indian recipes. I was looking for a vatha kulambu recipe while I chanced upon your site.