Pin PARUPPU URUNDAI KUZHAMBU RECIPEServes 4

  1. Take a heavy-bottomed pan that’s preferably evenly shaped at the bottom (so that the dal balls cook evenly). Pour in the tamarind water and add turmeric and salt. Bring to a boil.
  2. Then add the hing, sambar powder and ground coconut and let it boil on low flame.
  3. Meanwhile, rinse the soaked toor dal completely and grind it with red chillies, hing and salt, without adding any water.
  4. Mix in the minced onions to the above dal paste and make small lemon-sized balls with it.
  5. Add the dal balls one by one, slowly, into the boiling sauce. Do not mix around too much or else the balls will crumble. If you are trying this for the first time, add one or two balls at a time and then keep adding more.
  6. Now its time to be patient and wait for the dal balls to cook. They will almost double in size as they boil in the sauce and the sauce will thicken as well.
  7. Once the dal balls are cooked (will take about 15-20 mins), temper mustard seeds in some oil, add curry leaves and transfer to the boiling kuzhambu.
  8. Remove from fire and serve hot.We made this paruppu urundai kuzhambu last weekend and though I didn’t have a flat bottomed pan which brings out the best results, the kadai worked pretty okay too. We had to keep stirring the balls gently so that it cooks evenly. If you are making this for the first time, you can also try steaming the balls before dropping in the sauce. This will prevent break-age. I will let you know how it comes out when I try it on my own next 😀