The ingredient list and method may look long but it’s really a very easy recipe to make. For more kathirikai recipes, check out: Bagara Baingan Ennai kathirikai kuzhambu Kathirikai gotsu Szechuan eggplant Baingan ka salan Kathirikkai Kariamudhu | Kathirikai Curry Recipe Adapted from Chandra Padmanabhan’s Simply South Serves 4 as a side Ingredients: 1 small marble-sized ball of tamarind 10-12 baby brinjals, cubed 1/2 tsp turmeric powder 2 tsp grated coconut 1/4 cup curd / yogurt (optional) Salt to taste For Spice Powder: 1.5 tbsp channa dal / husked Bengal gram / kadala paruppu 1.5 tbsp urad dal / husked black gram / ulutham paruppu 2 dry red chillies 3 tbsp coriander seeds (or use 1 tbsp coriander powder) 1/2″ stick cinnamon 1 clove For Tempering: 2 tbsp oil 1 tsp mustard seeds 1 tsp urad dal 1 tsp channa dal 1 dry red chillies, torn into half A few curry leaves How to make Kathirikai Curry:
- Soak tamarind in 1/4 cup water for 10 mins. Extract juice and discard pulp.
- Lightly fry ingredients for spice powder in a dry skillet over low fire. Toss gently till dals are golden brown, take care not to burn them! Cool and grind to a fine powder.
- Heat oil for tempering and the rest of the ingredients in given order. When the mustard seeds start popping, add the cubed brinjal pieces and saute for 2-3 mins. Then add tamarind juice, turmeric powder, and salt.
- Sprinkle some water and cook closed over low heat for about 5-7 mins or until the brinjal is tender. Cook open for a minute until all the extra moisture is absorbed. Then add the grated coconut and the spice powder. Stir well to combine, adjust salt, and finally mix in the curd before removing from fire. (For authentic Kathirikkai Kariamudhu recipe, avoid the curd).
- Serve hot with steamed rice or roti.
