Appalam vaththal kuzhambu

 Ingredients:
Appalams, fried and broken into bite-sized pieces - 6
Sesame oil - 4 tbsp
Mustard seeds - 2 tsp
Fenugreek seeds - 1 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Garlic - 20 pods
Onion, finely chopped - 1 large
Tomato, finely chopped - 3 medium
Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
Salt - 2 tsp or to taste
Sambar or vaththal kuzhambu powder - 3-4 tbsp
Tamarind concentrate - 1 tbsp
Boiled water - 2 cups

Method:
Heat the oil in a wok. When hot, add the mustard, fenugreek, and cumin seeds. When the seeds splutter, add the garlic pods and stir until well coated. Add the onions and half of the salt, stir well. Add the tomato pieces and turmeric powder. Cook uncovered for 5 minutes and then cook covered on a medium-low flame until the tomato pieces are soft. Mix in the sambar powder and then the tamarind concentrate and boiled water. Stir well and bring to a boil and continue cooking until the raw smell of the sambar powder goes away and the oil separates. Add the appalam pieces and stir gently. Turn off the stove and let sit for a few minutes.

Author: Shrinkingsodacan