KARAMANI KARA KUZHAMBU [Chettinadu style]

Ingredients:

Karamani paruppu- 1/2 cup
Tamarind- a big lime size
Mustard seeds- 1 tsp
Cumin seeds- 1/2 tsp
Fenugreek seeds- 1/2 tsp
Garlic fales-5
Small onions- 1 cup
Finely chopped tomatoes- 3/4 cup
Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp
Chilli powder- 1 tsp
Coriander powder- 2tsp
Drumstick pieces-8
Grind to a paste: shredded coconut-4tbsp, sambar onions-3, fennel seeds- 1/2 tsp
Enough gingelly oil
Salt to taste

Procedure:

Soak the Karamani paruppu for 4 hours and then drain the water. Add 1 cup of fresh water and cook the karamani in a pressure cooker for 4 whistles. Soak the tamarind in water for half an hour and then extract its juice. Heat a kadai and pour enough gingelly oil. Add the mustards seeds and when they splutter add the cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds and the garlic flakes. Then add the sambar onions with the tomatoes and cook under moderate fire until they are well mashed. Pour the tamarind extract, with the turmeric powder, chilli powder, coriander powder, drumstick pieces and enough salt. Let the kuzhambu simmer for 15 minutes. Then add the ground paste to the kuzhambu and allow it to simmer for a few minutes.