Spicy Poondu Kuzhambu (Spicy Garlic Curry)

Spicy Poondu Kuzhambu (Spicy Garlic Curry):

This is my mom’s signature dish and a favorite for everyone in my family. She makes it almost every other weekend for us. And it gets over fast. If you are looking for a simple and spicy kuzhambu, then you are at the right place. It goes well with rice as well as dosa and idli and it stays long (almost a week) without spoiling since we add a lot of oil to it. Just add a couple of tablespoon of kuzhambu to rice. If it’s spicy, add a little sesame oil to the rice. I hope you enjoy this dish. Leave your comments.

Preparation time: 50 to 60 minutes

No. of servings: 8 to 10

Spice level: 4 out of 5

Ingredients:

• Peeled garlic – 3/4 cup


• Medium size eggplants (Indian eggplant) – 3 (chopped into small cubes)


• Small lime size tamarind


• Coriander seeds – 3 tsp


• Dry red chilies – 15


• Channa dal – 2 tsp


• Toor dal – 2 tsp


• Urad dal – 1 tsp


• Black whole pepper – 1 tsp


• A few curry leaves


• Mustard seeds – 1 tsp


• Cumin seeds – 1 and 1/2 tsp


• Oil – 1/3 cup (preferably sesame oil)


• Salt to taste

Method of Preparation:

1. Heat a tsp of oil in a pan and add coriander seeds, dry rd chilies, channa dal, toor dal, urad dal, black pepper and some curry leaves. Fry until the lentils become golden brown.


2. Make 2 cups of tamarind juice from the whole tamarind.


3. Remove from heat, let it cool and grind along with some tamarind juice until smooth.


4. Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a deep pan and add mustard seeds and let it splutter.


5. Add cumin seeds and curry leaves. After a few seconds reduce heat and add peeled garlic and saute until light golden brown and soft.


6. Add chopped eggplant and sprinkle some water. Cover and cook until eggplant is soft and slightly mashed. Stir in between to avoid burning.


7. Add ground paste and the remaining tamarind juice and let it come to a boil over medium heat.


8. Add the remaining oil, mix and let it cook until eggplant is mashed and a nice gravy is formed. The gravy will spit oil when it is done.


9. Remove from heat and serve it with cooked rice. You can also have it as a side for dosa/idli.

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