Vatha Kulambu Recipe

Manathakkali Vathal kuzhambu is traditional South Indian side dish often served with rice, potato curry and fried popadoms.

This Kuzhambu is one of the quick and easy dishes to make.

MANATHAKKALI VATHAL KUZHAMBU RECIPE

This Manathakkali Vathal Kuzhambu is often made in my inlaw’s house. They make it specially after a long travel  or after eating out consecutively many days.

Vathal’s are known to improve digestion and appetite, get rid of any stomach infection  and hence this vatha kuzhambu is our favourite dishes for everyone at home.

Apart from that, this vathal has also got the properties to cure ulcers. It sure does wonders.

If you speak to one of the older members in your families, they will tell you about all the healthy benefits of this side dish. Every other family member literally begin to crave for this spicy tangy sweet bitter curry . It is insanely delicious, so why not?

ABOUT THE VETHAL’S

For those of you who are new to Vathal’s , let me tell you – Manathakkali Vathals are dried green berries soaked in diluted curd/ buttermilk and sun dried for a few days. These Vathal’s are stored in airtight bottles and the good news is that they have an enormous shelf life!

I have seen my mum/grandmother dry these berries in the terrace and then they would pack it in small packs for family and friends.

After moving to UK, all my dose of vathal’s and spice powder mix still come from home. So I have never really made the vathals at home.

This Manathakkali Vathal is readily available in Asian Grocery store, so you really don’t have to go through this elaborate step for making it.

My mum actually makes Manathakkali Sambar  with a few variations to the recipe below and it still tastes awesome.

Make your very own Sambar Powder at home with my granny’s recipe and you could use them to make this Vathal Kozhambu and a lot of variety of sambar.

HAVE YOU MADE THIS Vathal Kuzhambu?

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Post a photo of your creation on my Facebook page, share it on Instagram, or save it to Pinterest with the tag #sandhyaskitchen.  I would love to see your take on this southindian side dish.

Manathakkali Vathal kuzhambu RECIPE BELOW

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Vatha Kulambu | Vatha Kuzhambu | Manathakkali Vathal kuzhambu recipe

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

30 mins

Total Time

35 mins

 

 Manathakkali vathal kulambu is a traditional southindian side dish. This Kulambu is comfort served with steamed rice & potato curry.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: SouthIndian

Servings: 4 People

Author: Sandhya Hariharan

Ingredients

• Small Lemon Sized Tamarind
• 11/2 Tsp Sambar Powder
• 1/4 Tsp Asafoetida Hing Powder
• 20 No's Sundakkai Vathal / manathakkali Vathal or Parika vathal
• 1-11/2 Tsp Rice Powder
• Salt to taste
• 1 Tbsp Jaggery Optional You can add just 1 Tsp if you don't like it sweeter.

For seasoning :

• 1/2 tsp mustard
• 1/2 tsp methi seeds
• 1/2 tsp chana dal
• Sprig of Curry leaves
• 2 Tbsp Sesame Oil

Instructions

1. Soak Tamarind - Soak Tamarind in 2 Cups Hot water and extract the tamarind pulp..To this mixture add Sambar powder, Asafoetida & salt and keep it aside.

2. Saute - In a deep bottom pan, add 2 Tbsp Oil. Add mustard seeds, methi seeds , chana dal, curry leaves and any one of the vathal. I have used manathakkali vathal for this recipe.

3. Add the Ingredients -Once the vatha begin to swell , add the tamarind mixture to the pan. Allow the tamarind mixture to boil for at-least 5 minutes and then simmer for 20-25 minutes. In the meanwhile add rice powder, 1/2 Cup water and salt to the simmering manathakkali vatha kulambu.

4. If you enjoy it sweeter, add Powdered Jaggery and stir. Check for spice and salt.

5. Serve Hot -Turn off the flame and serve the Manathakkali Vathal Kuzhambu with potato curry and steamed rice.