Traditional Masala Kuzhambu by Meenama! Try out this scrumptious dish for the Chennai rains!

Traditional Masala Kuzhambu by Meenama! | Try out this scrumptious dish for the Chennai rains! |
#Meenama does this new main course for us - Do this instead of #sambar #traditional
#yogambalsundar #venkateshbhat

Masala Kuzhambu:
Ingredients for the Masala:
Cardamom - 10/12
Cloves - 10/12
Cinnamon - a finger
Poppy seeds - 2 tsp
Saunf/Sombu - 1 tsp
Ingredients for grinding mix:
Coriander seeds - 2 tbsp
Bengal gram dal - 1 tbsp
Urad dal - 2 tsp
Red chillies - 12
Black pepper - 7 or 8
Ingredients for Bondas:
Besan - 4 measures
Rice flour - 1 measure
Red chilli powder - to taste
Salt to taste
Soda - few punches ( optional)
Oil for deep frying
Ingredients for Masala Kuzhambu:
Onions - medium size 3
Tamarind - 1 big lemon size
Asaefotida - tsp
Saunf/Sombu - tsp
Mustard seeds - 2 tsp
Salt to taste
Oil - few tsp
Method for the Masala:
Heat few drops of oil
Roast all ingredients for masala till flavour emanates
Allow to come to room temperature and keep aside
Heat few drops of oil
Add all the ingredients for the Kuzhambu mix till the dals are golden
Allow to come to room temperature
Now grind both fried sets of ingredients into a powder
Now add a cup of water and grind to a smooth flowy gravy
Keep aside
Soak tamarind in 4 cups of water and extract the pulp
In a pan, add few drops of oil and saut chopped onions
Take out half when the onions become translucent and keep aside
Continue stir frying the remaining onions till light golden
In a heavy add the tamarind water and salt to taste
Add the ground masala gravy
Let everything cook together
Meanwhile mix all the ingredients for the Bondas
Add the lightly cooked inions
Keep adding water to make a soft Pakoda mix
Heat oil for deep frying
Shape into Bondas and deep fry till golden over medium hot oil
Keep aside the Bondas
Heat few tsps oil in a small pan
Add the mustard seeds
Add asaefotida
Add curry leaves
Add this tempering to the now cooked Masala Kuzhambu
Now switch off flame
Add the Fried Bondas into Kuzhambu
Close and allow the Masala Kuzhambu to rest
The Bondas would soak up the Kuzhambu very well
Enjoy the Masala Kuzhambu with hot rice