Eggplant and Potato in Oil Gravy | Ennai Karthirikkai Kuzhambu

I didn't knew there is anything call Ennai karthirikkai Kuzhambu until one day I tasted it from my colleague's lunch box and the poor him felt the aftermath of it as I bugged him each n every day to get the recipe, finally I got the recipe and tried with my add modification to it.  The end result was better than I expected.  Normally baby eggplants are used in this recipe but I used long ones and also add a potato.    I'm blogging this for my own reference. 

Ingredients:

Eggplant - 2 Cups chopped

Potato - 1 Medium

Onion - 1 Medium

Tomato - 1Medium

Green Chilies - 2

Tamarind - marble size

Red Chili Powder - 1 tsp

Coriander Powder - 1 tsp

Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp

Fresh grounded Pepper - 1/2 tsp

Mustard Seeds - 1/2 tsp

Sesame Oil - 3 tbsp

Salt - to taste

Water - 2 cups

Cilantro - 2tbsp chopped

Curry Leaves - 1 sprig

For Spice Powder

Toor Dal - 1 tbsp

Channa Dal - 1/2 tbsp

Urad Dal - 1/2 tbsp

Fenugreek/Methi Seeds - 1 tsp

Cumin Seeds - 1 tsp

Dry Red Chilies - 2

Method:

1. In a pan heat 1 tsp of oil and roast all the dals and methi, cumin seeds until golden brown.  Allow to cool and grind to fine powder ( I made it little coarse)

3. Chop onion and slit the chilies.  Puree the tomato and keep aside.  Soak tamarind in little hot water for 10-15 minutes and extract thick pulp.

4. In a pan heat 2tbsp oil add mustard seeds and let it crack.  Add onion and chiles and saute until onion becomes pink. 

5. Add eggplant and potato and saute for 3-4 minutes in slow-medium heat.  

6. Add all masala, pepper powders mix well,  now add puree tomato and cook until oil  starts to separates or for 2-3 minutes. 

7. 
Add 1-2 cup of water, salt and boil until potato gets cooked for around 5-6 minutes in medium heat. Add tamarind paste and simmer for 2 minutes.

8. Add 1tbsp of oil
simmer again for a minute off the flame and garnish with chopped
cilantro and curry leaves. 

Let the curry sit for 5 minutes before you dig in, enjoy with hot steamed rice or for a change try with Idly ..it goes so well with idly too.