Herbal Kara Kuzhambu | Gluten Free And Vegan Recipe | Masterchefmom

 

Hi Supermoms,

Vathal Kuzhambu and Kara Kuzhambu are two such recipes which are my family's all time favourites. Their spicy and tangy taste goes so well for mixing with hot rice and enjoying with side of crisp appalams or vadams. Another big plus of these recipes is that they can be stored and enjoyed for many many days. 

I am constantly trying out different variations of Vathal Kuzhambu and Kara Kuzhambu to complement the spice and tang with different flavours. One such variation is a Kara Kuzhambu innovated by my mother. She used the herbs from her own garden to create this recipe. I am so excited to share my Amma's Herbal Kara Kuzhambu recipe.

 This Kara Kuzhambu is not only tasty but is filled with the immunity boosting properties of the herbs. The kuzhambu can be stored up to at least 10 days. 

Though I did not have access to all the herbs that Amma used, I still went ahead and made the recipe using the herbs that I could source here. Needless to say, the kuzhambu turned out so delicious and I have a big bottle of the kuzhambu in my refrigerator that will last for at least 15 days. 

So, go ahead and try this recipe today. 

Herbal Kara Kuzhambu Recipe 

Recipe Courtesy: Mrs. Prabha

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 40-45 minutes

1 cup = 250 ml cup

Ingredients:

To Grind :

1 teaspoon black peppercorns

1 teaspoon fennel seeds

1 teaspoon coriander seeds

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

1/2 tsp fenugreek seeds

1/2" cinnamon stick

2 cloves

7-8 garlic cloves

1/2" fresh ginger

1 bay leaf

1-2 betel leaf

5-6 ajwain/omavalli leaves

handful mint leaves

handful coriander leaves

2 sprigs curry leaves

To temper:

1/3 cup sesame oil

1 teaspoon chana dal/Bengal gram

1 teaspoon urad dal/ husked black gram

Other ingredients:

lemon size tamarind( soak in 2 cups water, extract juice) OR dilute 2-2.5 tsp thick tamarind paste to 2 cups water

1-2 onions (finely chopped)

2 small tomatoes (finely chopped)

1/2 teaspoon jaggery

1/8 tsp turmeric powder

2 teaspoon Kashmiri chilli powder

salt to taste

You can watch the detailed recipe video below

Method:

1. To the jar of a mixer, add all the ingredients given under " To Grind" and grind along with 1/4 cup water to a smooth paste consistency.

2. Heat oil in a heavy bottom vessel or kadai and temper with the ingredients given under "To temper".

3. Add Kashmiri chilli powder, turmeric powder, onion, tomatoes, salt and allow the mixture to fry for a few minutes.

4. Now add jaggery, ground masala, mix and cook for 2-3 minutes.

5. Add the tamarind juice and allow the kuzhambu to cook till it thickens to the desired consistency. The more it thickens, the longer the number of days you can store the kuzhambu. 

Once oil separates on the sides of the kadai, you can switch off the gas. Your delicious Herbal Kara Kuzhambu is now ready! 

You can serve along with hot rice and ghee. So yummy! You are sure to get compliments. Do try it out for your family and share your feedback with me. 

Happy Cooking!

With love,

Masterchefmom