Ennai kathirikkai kuzhambu without coconut

Ennai kathirikkai kuzhambu is a popular South Indian gravy which goes very well with hot rice and appalam. I have already posted ennai kathirikkai kuzhambu that is stuffed with homemade masala and other version of ennai kathirikkai kuzhambu with coconut, but this recipe is prepared without coconut that is simple and tasty.

Ingredients:

Serve 3 to 4

• 6 to 8 nos - Brinjal / eggplant / kathirikkai (very small)
• 10 to 15 – Sambar onion / small onion (chopped finely)
• 1/4 tsp - Turmeric powder
• 1 tsp - Red chilli powder ( or add as needed)
• 2 tsp - Coriander powder
• 1/4 tsp - Garam masala powder
• 1 no – Tamarind ( gooseberry sized ball)
• 5 to 10 nos – Curry leaves
• Salt to taste

For grinding:

• 1 tsp - Oil
• 10 nos - Small onion / sambar onion
• 1 medium - Tomato (chopped)

Seasonings:

• 1 tbsp – Oil ( i used sesame oil)
• 1/4 tsp - Mustard seeds
• 1/4 tsp - Split black gram / ulunthu
• 2 pinches – Fenugreek seeds / methi seeds / vendhayam
• 5 to 6 nos - Curry leaves (fresh)
• 1 pinch – Asafoetida

Preparation method:

1. Soak tamarind in warm water and squeeze out the pulp. Set aside.
2. Wash brinjals, put an X mark on back side of each brinjal and check for any worms. Also do not remove the whole stem on the top of brinjal, just cut little bit as shown in the picture.
3. Heat oil in a pan, add sambar onion and tomato, saute until they are well cooked. Allow them to cool completely and grind them to coarse paste.
4. Heat oil in a pan, season with items given in the list for seasonings. Add chopped onion, brinjals along with little salt, cook over low flame stirring it now and then. Cook until brinjals are 1/2 done.
5. Now add ground onion tomato paste and saute for few seconds. Then add all masala powder given in the ingredient list and saute until raw smell goes.
6. Add 2 cups of water and required salt, bring it to boil. Cover with lid and cook until brinjals are almost cooked.
7. Now add tamarind water and cook for 5 to 10 or until raw smell of tamarind goes and when you reach desired consistency. Finally garnish with fresh curry leaves, switch off the stove and serve with hot rice.

Notes:

• Sesame oil is must for this recipe, because it gives nice flavor and aroma. Also whenever we make puli kuzhambu, it is good to add sesame oil or gingelly oil.
• Cook cut brinjals over low flame, continue stirring until it is well cooked both inside and outside.
• Choose baby brinjals, i used small purple brinjals.

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