Appala Kuzhambu

Appala Kuzhambu:

I learnt this recipe from my MIL,and this is a life saver when you need to prepare a kuzhambu in a jiffy and/or you run out of vegetables. This kuzhambu uses Applam as the main ingredient,and is a very easy to prepare dish.Let me go on to the recipe of Appala Kuzhambu.

Ingredients:

Applam - 4-5,broken into quarters/big pieces
Tamarind - Lemon size
Vethakuzhambu podi or Sambar podi - 2 tbsps
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Salt - To taste
Oil - Preferably Gingelly oil - 1 tbsp

To temper:

Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Split Urad Dal - 1 tsp
Channa Dal - 1 tsp
Red chillies - 2-3,broken into pieces
Curry leaves - 1 sprig


Method:

1. Soak the tamarind in warm water,and take the pulp.Do it about 3-4 times so you get about a cup of tamarind water.
2. Heat oil in kadai, and add the items 'To temper' in the same order once the oil is hot.
3. After the dals get slightly browned, add the broken pieces of applam,and saute it for a couple of seconds so the applam does'nt get really fried. Don't let the applam bulge, after a few seconds, immediately add the tamarind water.
4. Add turmeric powder, kuzhambu/sambar podi, salt and mix well.
5. Add a cup of water, and let the kuzhambu boil well till the raw smell of tamarind goes,and the kuzhambu thickens.
6. After the kuzhambu thickens, check and adjust seasonings as per taste.
7. Serve hot with steamed white rice.