I am totally exhausted after 6 days of thali preparation. Whenever I return from hostel, I ask my mom to prepare vatha kulambu and fry appalam to go with it. This may sound simple but the tangy and bitter kulambu is a great savior after eating the mess meals for 2-3 months. Whenever we leave hostels, we friends used to discuss about the food we are going to eat during vacations. The dishes which tops the list are vatha kulambu and thuvaiyal rasam. So now after 6 days of elaborate thalis, I wanted to make it simple and the first dish which came to my mind was vatha kulambu. Recently I prepared manathakkali vathal at home. So it was time to taste it. The manathakkali vathal is bitter and in this tamarind based gravy, it is delicious. We use lot of sesame oil in this kulambu which actually enhances the taste. I also fried some vatrals to go with curd rice and I prepared a delicious cooler with buttermilk, perfect for this scorching heat.
Ingredients:
Manathakkali Vatral / Any other Vatral-2-3tbs
Sesame Oil-4-5tbs
Onion-1cup
Tamarind-a small lemon sized ball
Salt-to taste
Vatha Kulambu Podi-2tbs
Mustard-Urad Dhal-1tsp
Methi Seeds-1/4tsp
Asafoetida-1/4tsp
Turmeric Powder-1/4tsp
Curry Leaves-2sprigs
Procedure:
1. Heat oil and add the vatral. When they are fried (they splutter a lot so cover with a lid immediately and open when spluttering stops), remove with a slotted spoon and keep it aside.
2. Add mustard urad dhal. When they crackle add methi seeds and hing. Add curry leaves.
3. Add onion and saute until golden.
4. Soak tamarind in 1/4cup of water and extract juice.
5. Extract second juice with another 1/4cup of water.
6. Add the two extracts to the onion.
7. Add the vatha kulambu podi along with turmeric and salt.
8. Add more water and bring the kulambu to boil. Add the fried vathal to it.
9. Simmer and cover the pan until the gravy thickens and lets out oil.
10. Remove from stove, transfer to a serving bowl and serve with hot rice along with appalam.
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Sending this to Srivalli’s Thali Mela
Yummy meal..
awesome dear….
Comfort food
Such a comforting lunch! This is a perfect food for our summer too.
Wat a comforting food,super tempting kuzhambu,i can live for many days with this kuzhambu.
lovely flavors!
I can eat a plate of thayir sadam with that vatha kuzhambu..
Very nice. I am sure you must be exhausted. I still don’t know how you ladies went on doing the thali for 1 week. Great job.
A very mouthwatering spread!
yummy meal ! kuzhambu with all the vathals looks delish !
Kalyani
Sizzling Tastebuds
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Nice array of vatrals. Yummy thali.
Vardhini
CooksJoy
It’s my favorite… Always loved it.. Ur clicks of
Vatha kuzhambu n vathals make me hungry…
this looks absolutely delicious thali
my mouth is watering seeing that kulambu
Such a delightful meal Gayathri, hats off for all the hard work and beautiful pictures!..loved all of them..Thanks for doing the thalis..really appreciate your efforts!
I love this vathakuzhambu with vathal.Great combo..
really awesome platter…once aggain…lovein it
Simple yet delicious and comforting meal…
Such a simple, yet delicious meal. Loved all your Thalis on this BM.
I make that you has mentioned however mine was very thin (after boling it for 45 mins or more). And if I had left it any longer then I wouldn’t have enough to serve all! What shall I do?
Couldn’t understand your doubt. Can you please make it clear so that I can clear it?
Very nice combo. Prepared today and waiting for my hubby to taste it. Thanks for the dishes.
How can we prepare the manathakkali vatral? In my home there are lot of manathakkali plant. Don’t know how to use it?
Hi Devangana, I have written a post on home made manathakkali vathal. It is very easy to make. Please take a look at http://gayathriskitchenbasics.blogspot.in/2012/05/manathakkali-vatral-dried-black-night.html
hi gayathri madam,
i tried out manathakkali vathal kulambu as per your receipe for the first time..and i came out xtremely well…thanks a lot
Oh my, love pedas, but not sure what Modak is? A great quick microwave version for folks on the run, love the shape. I can’t imagine all the different moulds that are available in the kitchen stores these days, it’s amazing! I wish they had the donut one when my girls were growing up.