Garlic Kuzhambu - Chettinad Style
Ingredients: Tamarind paste - 3 tbsp Garlic - 2 nos Methi seeds - 1 tbsp Tomato - 4 nos Shallots - 8 nos Curry leaves - few Vatral Kuzhambu powder - 3 tbsp Turmeric powder - 1 tsp Sesame oil - 1/4 cup Salt to taste Water - 2 cups Method: Heat 1/2 of the oil in a pan. Add the methi seeds and garlic pods and shallots and fry till they become soft. Chop the curry leaves and tomatoes finely. Add both to the pan along with turmeric powder. Mix well and reduce the flame. Cover and cook till the tomatoes get half cooked. Mix the tamarind paste with 2 cups of water. Add vatral kuzhambu powder, salt remaining gingely oil and tamarind water and bring it to a boil. When the gravy is thick add 1 tbsp of sesame oil/gingely oil and turn off the heat. Variations: Grind 1/4 cup of coconut with a spoon of pepper and add it to the gravy. This can be substituted in the place of 2 tbsp of vatral kuzhambu powder. Add just 1 tbsp.