Easy Vathakuzhambu using Vathakuzhambu Podi

Category:  Easy Kuzhambu Varieties
Preparation Time: 5 mins  
Cooking Time: 20 mins 
Servings: 3 servings

Vathakuzhambu is a spicy tamarind based gravy made with dried veggies (Vathals) like Turkey berry (Sundakkai), Black night shade berry (Manathakkali). There are lot of variations - we can use small onion and garlic or we can also prepare without onion & garlic. With regard to masala, we can either use freshly ground masala or just sambar podi / sambar masala or vathakuzhambu podi.

Sundakkai Vathakuzhambu

Here I made the easiest version of Vathakuzhambu using Sundakkai Vathal and home made Vathakuzhambu podi. 

Manathakkali Vatha Kuzhambu

You can find the recipe for the podi in our blog: VathaKuzhambu Podi

Vathakuzhambu Podi

With this podi in hand, making Vathakuzhambu is a breeze and we can use any Vathal for this. If we are not having any vathal, we can just use the sambar onions and garlic.

During this pandemic season, getting fresh Indian veggies was bit difficult so we often made this vathakuzhambu:) 

For me, the perfect combo is Hot rice with Spicy Vathakuzhambu, vegetable kootu and appalam.

Ingredients:

• Sesame oil - 1-2 Tbsp 
• Sundakkai Vathal (Dried Turkey Berry) - 1/4 cup
• Tamarind - lemon sized (Adjust as per taste)
• VathaKuzhambu Podi - 2-3 Tbsp
• Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
• Split urad dal - 1/2 tsp
• Curry leaves - few
• Asafoetida - a pinch
• Salt - to taste
• Water - as required

Method:

• Soak Tamarind in warm water and extract juice to around 2 cups
• Heat sesame oil in the pan, once it becomes hot add the mustard seeds, followed by Urad dal, curry leaves and asafoetida
• Add the Vathal and saute for 2-3 mins until they get roasted and turn golden brown

• Now add the tamarind extract 

• Add the Vathakuzhambu podi along with required salt, mix well. We can use about 2 to 3 Tbsp of the masala powder depending on the required consistency

• Allow to boil for few mins in medium flame, Adjust water as per the desired consistency 

• Cook in low flame for few mins

• Once its done, switch off and Serve hot with Rice along with some vegetable kootu