This is always seen in the south Indian platter,and those who have tasted the south Indian
food,would not have missed this curry.With hot steaming rice this is awesome.You can try
the same with ladies finger,drumstick ,or any dried vegetables like figs ,bittergourd ,or
only small onions,it gives a good flavor.Today i’m going to give you a recipe with
dried turkeyberry /bitterberry (sundakai in tamil).
Turkey berry has a slight bittertaste,and is widely used in ayurvedic medicines too.It is
good for stomach ailments like ulcers,and also to get rid of intestinal worms.It is
considered to be a powerful antioxidant and a relief for kidney and liver
disorders,diabetes,heart ailments,and many more benefits.
This curry taste depends on the spice powder you are going to prepare beforehand.So now
for the recipe.
INGREDIENTS
A handful of dried berry (if using fresh crush lightly ,wash and soak in light buttermilk)
8-9 whole garlic peeled
10-15 whole red onions(small)
1 tblsp.gram dal
1/2 tsp.mustard seeds
1/2 tsp fenugreek seeds(optional)
1/4 tsp.asafoetida powder
1-2 dry chillies
few curry leaves
1 tomato(optional)
2-3 tblsp.gingelly/sesame oil
1 lemon sized ball of tamarind thick extract (1 cup)
1-2 tblsp jaggery grated
salt to taste.
For the vathal kulambu powder
5-6 dry red chillies
2 tblsp.coriander seeds
2 tblsp.urad dal (ulundu)
2 tblsp.tuvar dal
1/2 tsp.fenugreek seeds(venthiam)
1 tblsp rice
1 tsp.cummin seeds
1/2 tsp peppercorns
few curry leaves (optional)
METHOD
Dry roast all the ingredients and powder.This can be made beforehand and stored.
For the curry
Heat oil,add the onions and saute till its translucent.Add tomato and saute with a little salt
Remove from pan ,and grind this coarsely (you can make without grinding too).In the
same oil ,add the mustard seeds,asafoetida,fenugreek seeds dry chillies,gram dal,the berry
and the garlic (if using fresh berry saute a few minutes more).
If you are not grinding the onion and tomato ,add the berries directly to the onion.
Now add tamarind extract ,and enough water.Allow to boil and add the prepared powder
and simmer till thick.Add jaggery and remove from fire.Serve with hot rice.
Note:If you are using drumstick or ladies finger or any vegetable ,substituting berry,saute
the vegetables till they are cooked tender in the oil,and then add the powder.