Spicy Brinjal-Drumstick Curry / Kathirikka Murungakka Kaara kuzhambhu

Cooking time : 20 mins
Serves           : 3

My ever best combo for Kaara Kuzhambu is Brinjal and Drumstick. This is the basic Kaara Kuzhambu I usually make in my home. The Special ingredient that gives good taste to this curry is Sambar Powder. The same procedure can be followed to prepare ladies finger  curry as well. It goes well with Rice and Papad. I like to have this with Dosa as well. Coming to this delicious recipe...

INGREDIENTS:

Brinjal	4
Drumstick	1
Garlic Pods	6
Onion	1 medium size
Tomato	1
Tamarind	1/2 lemon size
Mustard	1/4 tsp
Fenugreek Seeds	1/4 tsp
Toor Dal	1/4 tsp
Curry Leaves	As Required
Asafoetida	a pinch
Turmeric Powder	1/4 tsp
Red Chilli Powder	1 tsp
Cumin Powder	1 tsp
Sambar Powder	2 tsp
Rice Powder (Arisi Podi)	2 tsp
Salt	To Taste

To Grind:

Grated Coconut	3 tbsp
Shallots	5

STEPS:

1.  Chop Onion and Tomatoes. Chop Brinjal Lengthwise. Chop Drumsticks to 1" Size. Soak Tamarind in warm water for 15 mins and extract tamarind juice.
2. In a pressure cooker, Heat Oil and add mustard seeds. Wait till it splutters and then add Fenugreek Seeds, Toor Dal, Asafoetida and curry leaves. Add Onion and Garlic and fry till it becomes golden brown. Add Brinjal and Drumsticks and fry for a min. Add tomatoes and Stir well.
3. Add Salt, Turmeric Powder, Red Chilli Powder, Cumin powder and stir well. Add Tamarind juice and allow it to boil for few minutes. Add Sambar Powder.
4. Add the ground paste to the mixture and Rice powder and  pressure cook with 1/2 cup water for 2 whistles and keep it in the sim for 3 mins and remove from the flame.

Tips:

• You can prepare this without coconut as well.
• If you have Puli Kuzhambu masala bought from stores, you can add that also.
• For Rice Powder, Dry Roast Raw rice and grindit to fine powder.

Brinjal Fry - Method 2

Cooking time : 15 mins
Serves           : 2

This Brinjal fry is one of my favourite. My husband who hate Brinjal started loving Brinjal after tasting this spicy recipe. This can be served as a best combination with Dhal rice and curd rice. This can also be taken with Sambar, Rasam.  Egg plant can be used for cooking.

INGREDIENTS:                     
Egg plant                 15 no
Onion                      1 no
Curry leaves             1 Strand
Green chillies             3 no
Turmeric powder      1/4 tsp
Red chilli powder      1/2 tsp
Cumin powder           2 tsp
Salt                           To Taste
Oil                             As required

METHOD:

1.  Cut brinjal into length wise slices. Cut onion.
2.  Add turmeric powder, Red chilli powder, Salt , Cumin powder to the brinjal and allow it to marinate atleast for 30 mins.
3. In a Pan, Heat necessary oil and  fry the brinjal in low flame and keep it aside. Deep Fry is not necessary. Minimal oil can be used in this step.
4. In a seperate pan, add 2 tsp oil and fry onion, curry leaves and wait till onion becomes golden  color. now add green chillies and the brinjal (from Step 3) and mix well.

Brinjal Rice

Cooking Time : 20 mins
 Serves : 2 persons

INGREDIENTS:
Raw Rice                                        1 cup
Egg Plant / Brinjal                          4 no
Onion                                              1 no
 sesame Oil                                     2tsp
ghee                                                 2 tsp
Mustard                                           1/2 tsp
Cloves                                             1 no
Cinnamon sticks                               1 "
Dry Red chillies                                 4 no
Curry leaves                                     10
Turmeric powder                             1/4 tsp
Red chilli powder                             1/2 tsp
Coriander powder                           1 tsp
Sambar powder                               1 tsp
Lemon juice                                     1 tsp
Coriander leaves                             To garnish
Salt                                                  To taste


METHOD:

1. In a cooker, add oil, ghee and once it heats, add musard and wait till it splutters. Add cloves, cinnamon sticks,dry red chillies and curry leaves and let the flavour comes out.


2. Add onion and fry till it becomes light brown colour. Add Brinjal (chop into vertical slices), turmeric powder, salt, red chilli powder, coriander powder, Sambar powder and fry.


3. Add Raw rice , 2 cups of water, lemon juice and coriander leaves and pressure cook for 2 whistles.


4. Serve hot with Raitha.

Brinjal Fry - Method 1

Cooking time : 15 mins
Serves           : 2

This can be served as a best combination with curd rice. this can also be taken with Dhal rice, Sambar, Rasam. Either Brinjal/ Egg plant can be used for cooking. I used Egg plant here.

INGREDIENTS:
Oil                          3 tbsp
Brinjal                     15 no
Onion                      1 no
Mustard Seeds        1/4 tsp
Black gram              1/4 tsp
Bengal gram             1/2 tsp
Curry leaves             1 Strand
Dry Red chillies          4 no
Turmeric powder      1/4 tsp
Red chilli powder      1/2 tsp
Coriander powder     1 tsp
Sambar powder         1 1/2 tsp
Salt                           To Taste



METHOD:

1.  Cut brinjal into length wise slices. Cut onion.
2. In a Pan, Heat oil and add mustard seeds and wait till it splutters. Then, Add Black gram nad Bengal gram. Wait till it becomes golden brown color. Now add Red hillies and curry leaves and wait till the aroma comes. 
3. Add onion and fry till it becomes golden brown color. Add Brinjal, turmeric powder, Red chilli powder, Salt and fry for 5 mins. Dont add water.
4. Add Coriander powder and Sambar powder and fry well till the masala gets mixed well.