Manathakkali Vathal Kolambu

• Pour 1tbsp oil in a hot pan
• Temper the oil with mustard seeds, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds (methi), urid dhal, channa dhal - 0.5tsp each
• Add a pinch of hing, few curry leaves, 1 red chilly
• Add 2tbsp of any vathal - I used Manathakkali Vathal
• Add 3 chopped garlic cloves
• Add 1 medium chopped onion
• Add salt to taste and fry untill onions brown slightly
• Add a pinch of turmeric
• Add 1 large Tomato - finely chopped
• Fry till oil leaves the sides
• Add 1tbsp of any store bought Vathal kolambu powder
• I used Sakthi brand
• (You can also use Sambar powder)
• Fry for few seconds
• Optional: Add 1 tsp of coconut powder (I don't)
• Add 1 cup tamarind juice
• Let it boil for 2 mins
• Add 2.5 cups of water and let it cook for another 30 mins
• You can adjust the water and cooking time per your desired consistency
• If using Sambar powder, to thicken the curry, you may add 1 tsp of rice flour mixed with little water and cook it till the curry thickens
• Add 0.5tsp of sugar or little jaggery and simmer for 2 mins
• Toss couple of curry leaves and serve with hot rice and appalam/chips
• This curry keeps well in fridge for 1 week if no coconut is added