Thiruvadirai Kuzhambu/Kootu|Ezhukari Kuzhambu/Kootu

Thiruvadirai Kuzhambu or Ezhukari Kuzhambu is made with minimum of seven vegetables as shown below.There are lot of versions to this kuzambu and this is how we make in our house along with Thiruvadirai Kali for Neivedhyam on Thiruvadirai day.We make this kuzhambu on Pongal festival day also.
It was a special dish in my house my mother used to make it in large quantities during pongal time and used to have it with "Kanu Sadam"the next day morning also.

You will Need

• Half cup Tur dhal
• 100 gms of vegetables of each
• Small gooseberry size Tamarind
• A pinch of Turmeric powder
• Salt to taste
• One tsp of Powdered Jaggery
• One sprig of Curry Leaves
• One tbs of Gingelly Oil
• One tsp Mustard seeds
• A Generous pinch of Asafoetida

To Roast and Grind

• One tsp Channa dal.
• One tbs Coriander seeds
• 6-8 Red Chillies
• Two Tbs of Scraped Coconut
• 1/4 tsp Fenugreek Seeds

1.Soak the Tamarind in warm or hot water for half an hour.

2.Pressure cook the Tur dhal for three whistles and few minutes in the cooker.

3.Chop the vegetables as big chunky pieces as shown in the picture.

4.Roast the channa dal,coriander seeds and red chillies,fenugreek seeds till the dal turns brown add coconut and switch off the stove and let it fry in the remaining heat itself.

5.Get all the vegetables in a big cooking pot(because you have to add cooked dal and powder so volume will increase)extract water from tamarind three times and pour it on top of the vegetables just enough liquid to immerse the vegetables.Cook it covered with turmeric powder,salt asafoetida and few curry leaves.

6.Once the roasted dal gets cooled powder it.

7.Once the vegetables are cooked add the cooked dal.

8.Now add the ground powder and mix well.

9.Add powdered Jaggery.

10.Crackle one tsp of Mustard seeds in one tsp of Gingelly oil in a small pan.

11.Pour it over the kuzhambu.

The Kozhmabu is ready!!!!

Notes

• You can include more vegetables like Sepankizhangu,raw banana etc.
• You can boil the vegetables in water and then add thick extract of Tamarind also.
• If you do not like the sweetness in the Kootu you can avoid adding the Jaggery.
• Instead of Mochai you can add some Soaked Peanuts in the kozhambu.