Vathal kuzhumbu- Tamilian's comfort food

Yes indeed!! Ask a Tamilian and he would say vathal kuzhumbu and "chutta appalam"(roasted papads) is the most comfort food for him!!!!
Basically this is a gravy with a blend of spices along with some vathals (dried vegetables) or sometimes even fresh vegetables. It is believed to have medicinals values.
Dried vegetables like sundakkai (turkey berry) or manathakali (sunberry)are used. Even shallots and drumsticks are sometimes added in this gravy. There are many other varieties too.
Vathal kuzhumbu is usually prepared in large quantities because you can store this for a long time. Infact the taste gets even better the next day.
It has been a long time since I posted a tamil recipe. There are lot of new recipes to be explored into. So till then, do try making this gravy. A perfect comfort food!!

Ingredients-

Tuvar dal/tuvaram parappu- 2tsp
Channa dal/kadala parappu- 2tsp
Udid dal- 1tsp
Dried red chillies- 5 to 8 nos.
Whole pepper- 1/2tsp
Curry leaves- 1 sprig
Tomato - 1 small (optional)
Garlic- 3-4 cloves(optional)
Tamarind-1 lime sized lump
Turkey berry/sundakkai(1/2 cup) or shallots(1 cup) or drumsticks(1 chopped into 2"pieces) or onions(1 chopped long) or brinjals(2-3 chopped in cubes)- According to your choice
Gingelly oil-1/2tbsp
Mustard- 1tsp
Salt to taste
Asafoetida- a pinch

Method-
Heat some oil in a pan. Add the dals/parappu/lentils , dried red chillies and pepper. Roast till the dal turn golden brown. Then add the curry leaves and tomatoes/garlic if using and roast for few more seconds. Cool and grind it to a fine paste along with tamarind.
Heat some more oil. Add the mustard along with your choice of dried or fresh vegetables. Add salt and asafoetida. Cook and add 2 to 3 cups of water. Add the ground paste. Mix well and cook till the gravy thickens.
Serve with hot rice and roasted appalams/papads.

I found some interesting vathal kuzhumbu (other than those which I have already listed above) in the blogosphere. So thought of sharing it with you all if you havent already seen.

1. Orange peel vathal kuzhumbu
2. Sweet pumpkin vathal kuzhumbu
3. Thamarai thandu vathal kuzhumbu
4. Appalam vathalkuzhumbu