Vatha Kuzhambu Recipe

I like Vatha Kuzhambu or Vatha Kulambu as I call it but these days I almost stop cooking these things thanks to DH dislikes for tamarind :( and one thing I wanted to try for long was Vatha Kuzhambu recipe, I always thought it's a complicated process until I tried it.  Thanks to Prema for giving me a vathal packet to try, I followed her recipe exactly just add little jaggery to enhance & balance sharp tamarind taste and simply loved the kulambu, boy it was just too good and from there I made it multiple times just for myself.  

This is one of the most easy way of making kuzhambu - no onion, no garlic & no tomato ie nothing to chop, what a relief.  Have it with steamed rice and papad or vathal.  I also made potato fry only to realize later it's actually not needed at all, the kulambu is just good enough by itself.  

Ingredients for Vatha Kuzhambu [Serves 2-3] 

Recipe Source - Prema's Culinary

Dry Mixed Vathal - 1/2 Cup
Tamarind - A small lemon size ball
Sesame Oil - 1 tbsp [I used Saffola]
Asafetida/Hing - A pinch
Mustard Seeds - 1/2
Urad Dal - 1/4 tsp
Fenugreek/Methi Seeds - 1/4 tsp
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
Sambar Powder - 1 tbsp
Jaggery - 1/2 tsp [optional]
Salt - To Taste

Method

1. Soak tamarind in 1/2 to 3/4 cup water for 10-15 minutes and extract thick pulp.  Below is also picture of dried vathal for those whom doesn't know about vathal.

2. Heat oil in a wok, add asafetida/hing, mustard seeds, methi seeds, urad dal and allow mustard to splutter.  Add vathal and fry them till golden brown.

3. Add tamarind extract, turmeric & sambar powders, salt.  Give a good Stir.

4. Bring it to boil, add jaggery (if using) and cook until kuzhambu/kulambu becomes thick, off flame.

Serve with rice, potato fry, fryums and enjoy the meal.

Have a nice day ~~

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