Spicy Brinjal Curry

Vankaya Menthi Karam

Ingredients:

Brinjals 5 - 8
Whole Red Chiles 3 - 5
Fenugreek Seeds 1 tsp
Urad Dal 1 1/2 tbsp
Tamarind 1 inch sized ball
Salt to taste
Oil 1 tsp

Talimpu:

Chana Dal 1/2 tsp
Urad Dal 1/2 tsp
Cumin Seeds 1/2 tsp
Mustard Seeds 1/2 tsp
Broken Red Chiles 5
Curry Leaves 5
Oil 1 tsp

Method of preparation:

Wash, remove stems and slit brinjals vertically twice.
Soak them in water for further use.

Heat a tsp of oil in a pan, add fenugreek seeds, urad dal and red chiles.
Fry until dal changes color and remove from heat.
Cool the fried ingredients and grind everything into fine powder.

Heat oil in a pan, add all talimpu ingredients in order.
When mustard seeds start spluttering, add brinjals, tamarind, ground spice powder and salt.
Pour half a cup of water and cook covered on medium flame until brinjal turns soft.
Serve hot with steamed rice.

Notes: Make sure brinjals are perfectly cooked.