Manathakali Vathal Kuzhambu Recipe | Vatha Kuzhambu recipe with step by step pictures and instructions. Vatha Kuzhambu is spicy and tangy tamarind based curry made with manathakali vathal. Manathakali vathal is knows as black night shade. South Indian meals is incomplete without vatha kuzhambu, Kara kuzhambu or any tamarind based curries. You can use sundakkai or any dried berries for this curry or even make it plain with small onions.

Every household will have it's own version of vatha kuzhambu and most of the brahmins make it without onion, tomato and garlic. This is not authentic way of making vatha kulambu. Recipe I am sharing here is from my aunt who makes delicious curry. You can use sambar powder or kuzhambu powder instead of red chilli powder and coriander powder. You can skip tomato and use only tamarind. Using castor oil is key to this kuzhambu.

I joined the Healthy Wealthy Cuisines  facebook group last month. It is bi monthly event where group of bloggers will be posting on particular theme. Current theme is festivecurries suggested by Swati who blogs at foodtrials25. I love her way of presenting and writing. Do check her space for some amazing baking and recipes from around the world. 

Do try and let me know your feedback. You can also try the below recipes.

Tomato Kuzhambu

Spinach Kootu

One pot Tiffin Sambar

Onion Tomato Masala

Quick Besan Curry

Tiffin Sambar

Mushroom Curry

Manathakali Vathal Kuzhambu Recipe | Vatha Kuzhambu recipe

Narmadha

Vatha Kuzhambu is spicy and tangy tamarind based curry made with manathakali vathal.

5 from 1 vote

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Servings 0

Ingredients

  

• Manathakali Vathal 3 tbsp
• Small onions 15
• Garlic 7-8
• Tomatoes 2
• Red chilli powder 2 tsp
• Coriander powder 2 tsp
• Turmeric powder ¼ tsp
• Tamarind extract ½ cup
• Salt as required
• Powdered jaggery 2-3 tsp
• Thick coconut milk ½ cup

To Temper

• Gingely oil 2 tbsp
• Castor oil 1 tbsp
• Mustard ½ tsp
• Cumin seeds ½ tsp
• Fenugreek seeds ¼ tsp
• Hing ¼ tsp

Instructions

 

• Slit the onions and chop the garlic.
• Finely chop the tomatoes and keep it ready.
• Heat oil and temper with mustard, cumin, fenugreek seeds and hing.
• Once it browns add the vathal and fry for 1-2 minutes.
• Then add the onions and garlic and saute nicely.
• Add the tomatoes if using and saute till mushy.
• Then add red chilli powder, coriander powder and turmeric powder.
• Add water and allow it to boil for 5 minutes.
• Then add tamarind extract and allow it to boil for 10 minutes.
• Then add powdered jaggery and allow it to boil.
• Boil in low flame till oil separates.
• Then add the thick coconut milk, give a quick stir and switch off the flame in one minute.
• Delicious vatha kuzhambu is ready.
• Serve it with piping hot rice/Idly/Dosa

Notes

Add little salt and check in the end and add later if required. Manathakkali vathal will have salt.

can use keerai vadagam for tempering.

You can use sambar powder or kuzhambu powder instead of red chilli powder and coriander powder

Skip tomatoes and increase the quantity of tamarind.

I always extract tamarind and keep it in fridge. You can use lemon size tamarind for this curry.

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How to make Vatha Kuzhambu with step by step pictures

Slit the onions and chop the garlic.

Finely chop the tomatoes and keep it ready.

Heat oil and temper with mustard, cumin, fenugreek seeds and hing.

Once it browns add the vathal and fry for 1-2 minutes.

Then add the onions and garlic and saute nicely.

Add the tomatoes if using and saute till mushy.

Then add red chilli powder, coriander powder and turmeric powder.

Add water and allow it to boil for 5 minutes.

Then add tamarind extract and allow it to boil for 10 minutes.

Then add powdered jaggery and allow it to boil.

Boil in low flame till oil separates.

Then add the thick coconut milk, give a quick stir and switch off the flame in one minute.

Delicious vatha kuzhambu is ready.

Serve it with piping hot rice/Idly/Dosa

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