Karakuzhambu

Another of my m-i-l's special. It stands out special because of the way she makes it. And that is why my hubby loves it. Any day I ask him for ideas to make lunch his first suggestion wud be this no matter even if I made it just the day before. Its easy to make and tastes different than the regular everyday menu item.

This is what u'll need....

Oil - 3-4 tbspn
Mustard - 1 tspn
Fenugreek seeds - 1 tspn
Onion - 1 large

Tomato - 1 large
Garlic - 4 big cloves
Chopped vegetables - 2 cups
Tamarind - size of a lemon
Sambar powder - 2 tbspn
Coconut shredded - 1/4 cup
Salt to taste

Here is the stir....

• Heat oil in a pan and add seasoning - mustard and fenugreek
• Once mustard starts spluttering toss in chopped/sliced garlic and fry till you can smell the aroma but be careful not to burn it
• Slice onions thinly and add to the pan. Saute nions till they turn soft
• Dice tomatoes and add it to the pan. Cook for a few minutes till the tomatoes turns little soft
• Chop all veggies. You can try different combis like - brinjal, drumstick,potato -or- black eyed beans(soaked and boiled) 
• Spoon in sambar powder and salt. Stir everything together till the masala coats the veggies well. Keep frying till the veggies are a little soft

• Add a little water and for a couple of minutes

• Grind the coconut with little water to a fine paste and add to the veggies. Stir well till the gravy is well combined

• Cook the mixture on medium for around 15 mins

• Soak tamarind in warm water and squeeze out the juice into pan
• Cook for another 5 mins or until gravy starts to separate along the sides of the pan
• Serve with hot rice and a little ghee and enjoy the taste

Notes :

Fry the veggies well before adding the coconut

Cook the mixture on medium flame for better taste

Add tamarind towards end of cooking