Race Kozhambu (Anjara Petti Kozhambu)

Here is the recipe of another rare kozhambu. It is called as Anjara petti kozhambu, meaning- Spice box Sambhar. It is also popularly known as Race kozhambu... In this dish, all the ingredients in the spice box are used to make the masala. The masala paste is allowed to boil in tamarind extract.

Ingredients:

To make the masala paste:
1/2 tsp toor dal
1/2 tsp channa dal
1 tsp urad dal
1/2 tsp moong dal
1 tbsp dhaniya (coriander seeds)
1/8 tsp jeera seeds (cumin)
1/8 tsp peppercorns
1/4 tsp methi seeds (fenugreek)
3-4 red chillies
A dash of Hing (asafoedita)
2 tsp oil
Fry the above ingredients in oil till golden brown and grind to a smooth paste.

To make the kozhambu:
1 lemon sized ball of tamarind
1/4 tsp turmeric
Salt to taste
1 tsp mustard seeds
Hing -3 dashes
2 tsp oil
1 sprig curry leaves
1 cup veggie cut long (usually ladies finger (okra), brinjal (eggplant), drumsticks or red pumpkin is used)
1/8 tsp jaggery

The masala paste mentioned above.

Add oil in a kadai, splutter mustard seeds.
Add curry leaves and the veggies. Roast till the veggie with a dash of salt till it gets soft and tender.
Add the tamarind extract and allow to boil
Add turmeric, hing, salt and the paste.
Allow it to boil till the kozhambu thickens.
Add a pinch of jaggery at the end to balance the sourness of tamarind.
Serve with rice and a veggie...