Kathirikai Kadalai Paruppu Kuzhambu Recipe

Ingredients:
Tender Brinjals - 500 gms, cut into 4 pieces
Channa Dal - 3/4 cups
Cardamom - 1 inch piece
Cloves - 2
Curry Leaves - few
Onions - 2, sliced
Ginger-Garlic Paste - 1 tsp
Turmeric Powder - 1 tsp
Chilli Powder - 1 tsp
Coriander Powder - 2 tsp
Tamarind - small lemon size
Salt to taste
Oil as required

To Grind:
Grated Coconut - 1/2 cup
Poppy Seeds - 2 tsp
Tomatoes - 2
Coriander Leaves - 1/4 cup

Method:
1. Pressure cook channa dal till it is soft and cooked, but still retaining its shape.
2. Keep aside.
3. In a heavy-bottom kadai heat a little oil.
4. Shallow fry the cardamom, cloves and curry leaves.
5. Saute the onion slices.
6. Add brinjals and saute till the colour changes.
7. Add the ginger-garlic paste and then turmeric, chilli, coriander powder and required salt.
8. Saute for 2 minutes.
9. Add cooked dal and tamarind extract.
10. Let the gravy simmer till the brinjals are cooked.
11. Add coconut paste and boil for 5 more minutes.
12. Serve with rice, idli or dosai.