Tofu Pulusu (Tofu in spicy tamarind sauce)

This one is my own invention :). Inspired by my mom's Vankaya Pulusu and Bhindi Pulusu, I just replaced the veggies with tofu for this dish. The spicy, salty, sour taste makes tofu more interesting.

Cut the tofu into cubes. Sprinkle some salt on them, mix well and keep aside for sometime. The add a teaspoon of oil on a wide nonstick pan, spread the oil around and place the tofu in the pan in one layer. Leave for 2-3 minutes. Then try to flip the pieces so that the other side also gets browned. Once both sides are browned, take them off the heat and keep aside.

In a nonstick kadai, pour a teaspoon of oil. When the oil gets hot, add some mustard seeds and jeera. Once they start popping, add curry leaves, peeled whole garlic cloves, sliced ginger, sliced green chilli and sliced onion. Saute till the onions turn translucent.

Now add the tofu into the kadai, add salt, 1/2 tsp dhania powder, 1/2 tsp jeera powder and 1/2 tsp red chilli powder. Mix and stir for 2 minutes. Then add tamarind paste mixed in water or tamarind juice extracted from the pulp. Adjust salt according to the sourness of the tamarind. Bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat, cover the kadai and let the tofu cook in the liquid.

Check after 3-4 minutes. You will see the tofu bulged, cause it would have soaked some liquid and all the flavours. Now remove from heat, sprinkle chopped dhaniya and serve hot with rice.