Karuvadam vathal kuzhambu

5 from 1 vote

Make homemade karuvadam vathal kuzhambu - a tangy and spicy South Indian gravy made with sun-dried lentil fryums. Perfect with steamed rice and papads.

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Main Course, rice accompaniment

Cuisine: Indian, South Indian

Keyword: arachuvitta vathal kuzhambu, karuvadam kuzhambu

Servings:

Calories: 172kcal

Author: Srividhya G

Ingredients

Measurement Details: 1 cup=240ml; 1 tbsp = 15ml; 1 tsp = 5ml;

1 tbsp peanut oil or corn oil
2 tbsp gingelly oil
1 tsp mustard seeds
2 tsp fenugreek seeds; you can reduce it to 1 tsp too
⅛ tsp asafoetida
1 tsp toor dal
2 dried red chilies
10 curry leaves
12 to 15 kuzhambu vadagam
½ tsp turmeric powder
1.5 tbsp sambar powder or to taste
1 tbsp tamarind paste mix in 1.5 cups of water
1 tsp salt heaped or to taste
1 tsp rice flour
2 cups water divided or as required

Instructions

Heat the kadai and add oil.
When the oil is hot, then add mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, toor dal, asafoetida, and red chilies (whole piece or break into small pieces)
Once mustard seeds start spluttering, add the karuvadam and fry till they turn brown.
Reduce the heat to low and add tamarind water. Add turmeric powder and salt and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes.
Add the curry leaves and sambar podi and mix well. Make sure the sambar powder mixes well, and there are no lumps. Let it boil again for about 5 to 7 minutes.
Mix rice flour with ½ cup of water (if you want a thick consistency, make a thick paste by reducing water) and add it to the kuzhambu.
Bring it to one more boil, and that's it. Kuzhambu is ready.

Notes

As the fryums also have salt, add less salt and adjust accordingly.
I prepare this kuzhambu comparatively tangy and a bit more spicy than the regular vathal kuzhambu, as the soaked fryums taste better with spicy and tangy gravy. But adjust according to your preference.
If you have homemade kuzhambu masala thool or store-bought kuzhambu masala, you can use that instead of sambar powder.
Gingelly oil is preferred for its authentic flavor, but you can use other cooking oils if necessary.

Nutrition