KARUVEPPILAI (CURRY LEAVES)KUZHAMBU - TWO VERSIONS

This is very good for digestion. This recipe is a "pathiya samayal" given to ladies after child birth. This kozhambu can be mixed with rice and best with curd rice also. I have given here two methods of preparing this kozhambu.

The best combination for this is Daangar pachadi and sutta appalam.

INGREDIENTS:

Tamarind - a lemon sized ball
Pepper - 3/4 tsp.
Dry red chillies - 1 or 2
Urad dhal - 2 tsp.
Toor dhal - 1 tsp.
Curry leaves - 1 cup (tightly packed)
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp.
Gingelly oil - 3 tablespoons
Hing - a pinch
Salt - as per taste

VERSION 1:

METHOD:

Soak tamarind in lukewarm water and extract thick pulp.

In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat a spoon of oil and fry pepper, chillies, hing, urad dhal and toor dhal till golden brown. Now add, curry leaves and saute well till it changes its colour. When cool grind everything in a mixie to a paste.

In the same pan, heat the remaining oil, add mustard seeds. When it splutters, pour in the tamarind extract and allow it to boil for five minutes. Now add the ground paste and let it boil till it thickens.

VERSION 2:

INGREDIENTS:

Tamarind - a lemon sized ball
Pepper - 1 tsp.
Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp.
Dry red chillies - 1 or 2
Curry leaves - 1 cup (tightly packed)
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp.
Gingelly oil - 3 tablespoons
Hing - a pinch
Salt - as per taste

METHOD:

Heat a spoon of oil in a pan and fry pepper and chillies. When pepper splutters, add cumin seeds and saute for 5 seconds. When cool, grind this in a mixie, alongwith curry leaves, hing , tamarind and salt. Add a cup of water and grind again to a fine paste.

Heat the remaining oil, temper with mustard seeds and add the ground paste. Pour one more cup of water and mix well. Allow it to boil in a medium heat, till it reduces to half and thick.