Poondu Milagu Kuzhambu / Garlic Pepper Gravy

It's snowing continuously for the past three days n now my place looking so beautiful with snow covered everywhere. I like to admire the beauty, particularly the trees n shrubs looks more beautiful. Weather also not too cold above 15 F only. Wanted to click some pics of that heavy snow on my backyard but don't want to take risk since last week for same reason went out to take food pics with snow BG, that time weather was too cold (below 10 F) so I couldn't stay out for not more than 10 minutes n was in hurry to enter n while closing the patio doors I got my fingers stuck between the door and got hurt on my fingers badly, still blood clot on one of my finger hurting me:(
And now coming to today's recipe Poondu Milagu Kuzhambu, this is one of the best home remedy for cold n related problems. I usually make this kuzhambu monthly once since its contain more garlic n pepper which is good for health. This is little spicy kuzhambu and it tastes great with hot plain rice topped with sesame oil n pappadam/pappad. My Mom makes this kuzhambu without adding onion and tomatoes and make it as a plain gravy with the ground garlic-pepper masala, which is even more spicy but to make it little less spicy i like to add onions n tomatoes like regular kaara kuzhambu or puli kuzhambu.

Ingredients
For Gravy

1. Onion       1 medium(finely chopped) or 10 sambar onions.
2. Tomato      1 no.(chopped)
3. Garlic       1 full pod(peeled n chopped)
4. Curry leaves     1 sprig
5. Tamarind paste    1 tbsp(diluted in 1/4 cup water) or 1 small lime sized soaked in warm water
6. Salt    to taste

To Temper

1. Oil & Sesame oil     1 tbsp each
2. Mustard seeds     1/2 tsp
3. Fenugreek seeds/methi seeds   1/4 tsp
4. Cumin seeds    1/4 tsp
5. Pepper corns    5-6 no.s
6. Hing      1/8 tsp

To Roast & Grind

1. Oil    1/2 tsp
2. Onion   1 small sized or 8-10 pearl onions/chinna vengayam
3. Dry Red chilies     3 no.
4. Coriander seeds     1 and 1/2 tbsp
5. Pepper corns           1 and 1/2 tbsp
6. Cumin seeds      1/2 tsp
7. Garlic       10 cloves
8. Coconut     2 tsp(shredded - no need to roast)

Method

• First dry and grind the masala n keep ready.
• Heat 1/2 tsp oil in a pan, add cumin seeds, pepper corns, coriander seeds stir fry for few seconds then add dry red chilli, garlic, onion and saute for 1-2 minutes lastly add coconut and turn off the stove.

• Allow this to cool for few minutes then grind it to a smooth paste using little water and keep aside.
• Then heat oil+sesame oil in a kadai, add the tempering ingredients one by one and wait till it splutter.
• And add garlic and curry leaves and stir fry for few seconds.

• After that add finely chopped onions and saute for a minute and then add chopped tomatoes and stir fry till it turns soft.
• Now add the ground garlic-pepper masala paste and stir fry for 1-2 minutes then add tamarind water plus extra water(the gravy should be on thicker side, so don't add more water) and enough salt and allow to boil.

• Once it starts boiling and the raw smell leaves add some chopped fresh curry leaves and switch off the flame.
• That's it...Spicy & Tasty Poondu Milagu Kuzhambu ready. Serve hot with plain rice.

Notes:
If u want u can also skip onion tomato in the gravy and make it as a plain poondu milagu kuzhambu.
This kuzhambu remains good in room temp for 2 days.
Do not add coconut more than the mentioned quantity, if u feel more spicy then heat 1-2 tbsp of sesame oil and add it to the kuzhambu while boiling.

Sending this recipe to the event, Passion On Plate Giveaway Event hosting by Faiza kader.