Manathakkali vatral kulambu

Ingredients:

manathakkali vatral (sun dried wonderberries) - 3 tbsp

tamarind - lemon size

sambar powder - 3 tbsp

hing - a small pinch

mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp

bengal gram - 1 tsp

red chillies - 2

methi seeds - 1/4 tsp

curry leaves - a small sprig

sesame oil - 3 tbsp

salt to taste

Method:

1. Soak tamarind in 2 cups of water for 1/2 an hour and extract its juice.

2. Shallow fry the vatral in 1 tsp of oil and keep aside.

3. Heat oil in a pan and add the bengal gram and mustard seeds.

4. When the mustard seeds splutter, add the red chillies, methi seeds, hing and curry leaves.

5. Add the sambar powder and saute for a minute.

6. Add the tamarind juice and salt.

7. Boil on medium flame for 10 minutes.

8. Add the fried vatral and boil till the kulambu thickens and oil floats on top.

(To thicken the kulambu, you may mix 1 tsp of rice flour with 3 tsp of water & add to the kulambu before turning off the stove.)

Serve with hot rice and appalam.