Chettinad Kathirikai Kara Kuzhambu

Ingredients
Brinjals - 15 (regular purple colored), turmeric 1 tsp, Tamarind extract 2-3 cup
s.
For Masala:
Dania - 8 tsp, Bengal Gram dhal - 5 tsp, Red chillies 10, white sesame seeds - 2
tbsp, black pepper - ½ tbsp, grated coconut ½ cup, onion 1, tomato 2, Green chillie
s 2, Ginger & garlic ½ tsp.
For Seasoning:
mustard seeds - 1 tsp, Black Gram dhal - 1 tsp, Bengal Gram dhal - 2 tsp, dry re
d chillies 2, asafetida a pinch, curry leaves a few, cilantro/coriander leaves a
few.
Cooking Instructions
Brinjal Prep:
* Dry roast (with out oil) Dania, dhals, red chillies & seeds & make a fine powd
er.
* Mix grated coconut, Masala powder, little water or tamarind extract & make a t
hick mix.
* Cut Onion & Tomato into small pieces
* Add 2 spoons of oil in a pan
* Fry onion, tomato, green chilly & ginger/garlic in that pan till onion becomes
soft & Blend this into a thick paste.
* In a pan heat 5 spoons of oil.
* Add a little asafetida, add the onion-tomato puree, and little tamarind extrac
t (2 spoons) and fry/boil for 3 minutes in high flame
* Add 5 spoons of Masala mix, turmeric & salt and cook till the mix boils well.
This is the base gravy for the curry.
* Make two vertical cuts in each Brinjal; BUT, leave the stem intact that the sh
ape remains intact. (NOTE: Cuts should be only for the 3/4 of the length of the
Brinjal)
* Add salt to the Masala-coconut mix
* Stuff the Masala mix inside the Brinjal
* Let it marinate for about 5 minutes

Kulambu Prep:
* In a wide pan, add a little oil and mustard seeds
* Once the mustard starts cracking, add the rest of the seasoning ingredients
* Once the dhal turns golden in color, add 7 spoons of oil
* Add the stuffed Brinjals into the pan
* Close the pan with a lid and cook for about 5 minutes in medium flame
* After that, once in every 3-4 minutes, turn the Brinjal so that, it is evenly
cooked
(NOTE: While turning the Brinjal, make sure that the stuffing doesn't come out)
* Once the Brinjal is well done, Add the Gravy mix
* Cook the mix for about 2 minutes in low flame (this is just to make sure the g
ravy and the Brinjals mix together).
by Jayanthi Santhanam