Karuveppilai Kozhambu

A very easy and mouthwatering dish which can be prepared in 20 to 30 minutes. This is good for people on diet, people suffering / recovering from flu/cold and fever. The ingredients are excellent appetizers and improves digestion.

Ingredients:

1. Tamarind - lime sized ( Tamarind paste 1 teaspoon)
2. Pepper - 3 teaspoons
3. Coriander seeds 3 teaspoons
4. Toor dal 1 and 1/2 teaspoons
5. Oil - 4 to 6 tsp (Tastes best with sesame oil aka gingelly oil)
6. Mustard - 1 tsp
7. Curry leaves - a handful
8. Asafoetida ( பெருங்காயம்) – a pinch

Preparation:

1. Fry coriander seeds, pepper and toor dal  in two teaspoons of oil. Grind them along with curry leaves in your mixie or blender.
2. Soak tamarind in 2 cups of hot water for about 5 minutes and extract the pulp. Mix with another 2 cups of water and keep aside (If you have tamarind paste, mix one teaspoon in 2 cups of water.)
3.  Heat 2 teaspoons of oil in a large pan / kadai and add mustard seeds. When they splutter, add the ground paste 
4.  Pour in the diluted tamarind extract add the hing and bring to boil. Add salt and simmer covered for about 20-30 minutes depending on the consistency you want.
5.  You can add more sesame oil while mixing with rice.