Kollu Kuzhambu (Horsegram Gravy)

Category:  Lunch
Preparation Time: 10 mins + overnight soaking
Cooking Time: 30 mins
Servings: 2-3

We usually prepare Horsegram Masiyal (Kollu Paruppu) and Rasam in our home. I tried this Kuzhambu by adapting a recipe published in some magazine under the topic "Maruthuva Samayal". You can add the masalas as per your taste. This will go well with hot rice and even Idly & dosa.

Ingredients:

• Horse gram - 1/2 cup
• Tomato - 1 no (Big sized or 2 medium ones)
• Small onions - 10 - 15 nos or 1 big onion
• Garlic cloves - 6-8 nos
• Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
• Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp (to taste)
• Coriander powder - 1 tsp
• Tamarind extract - 1/2 cup (I used 1/2 tsp of paste in 1/2 cup of water)
• Coriander leaves - few 
• Sesame oil - 1 tbsp
• Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Curry leaves - few
• Red chilly - 1-2 nos
• Salt - to taste

Method:

1. Clean the horse gram (if there are any stones in it) and soak it in enough water for overnight
2. Pressure cook it with few drops of oil and a pinch of turmeric powder for 2-3 whistles
3. Grind the cooked dhal coarsely and keep aside (Excess water can be used to prepare rasam)
   
4. Take the onion, tomato and garlic in a blender and grind to a smooth paste
   
5. Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds, red chilly and curry leaves
6. Then add the ground onion - tomato mixture, saute till it shrinks and raw smell goes off (For me it took around 10 mins)
   
7. Add the turmeric, coriander and chilli powders saute for a min
8. Add required salt and tamarind extract, required water, mix well
   
9. Add the coarsely ground horse gram and allow to boil for few mins
   
10. Once it reaches the thick kuzhambu consistency, switch off and garnish with coriander leaves
    
11. Serve hot with rice