Brinjal Drumstick Tamarind gravy - Katharikkaai Murungaikaai Kuzhambu

We love Indian drumsticks. In our native village our house has a big drumstick tree. They are always in season. Drumsticks have always been a staple in our cooking. Drumsticks have a hard and fibrous outer skin and the flesh is on the inside. Hence you need to boil them or steam them to eat them. It could be a little difficult to eat for newbies.

Drumsticks have a very unique flavor. You can make wonderful gravy dishes with them. In this Gravy I combined drumsticks, eggplant and tamarind to make a Spicy & Tangy gravy. You can enjoy this Eggplant & Drumsticks gravy (கத்திரிக்காய்  முருங்கைகாய் குழம்பு) with hot rice. I found fresh drumsticks in our store ( a very rare occurrence) and I made this gravy for lunch. Here is the recipe

Preparation Time:5 min

Cooking Time:20-30 min

Serves:2

Ingredients:

• 1 Fresh Drumstick
• 3 Baby Eggplants.
• 1 small  size Onion.
• 1/2 country style Tomato.
• 3 tbsp Sambar powder(or use 2 tbsp Chili and 1 tbsp Coriander powder)
• 1/2 tbspTamarind paste.
• Salt as required.

To Temper:

• 3 tbsp Gingelly/Sesame oil.
• 1 tbsp Fenugreek seeds.
• 1/2 tbsp Mustard seeds.

Method:

• Chop the Onion and Tomato into small pieces.
• Cut the eggplants also into 1 inch pieces.
• Cut the drumstick in to 1 inch pieces.
• Heat the sauce pan and add the items "To Temper" (Wait for the mustard to splutter before adding fenugreek).

• Add the onion and saute until translucent.
• Add tomato and saute until they turn soft.
• Now add the Veggies(eggplant and drumstick) saute it for 5 minutes until the eggplant truns soft.
• Add Sambar powder and cook until the raw smell dissipates.
• Now add 3 cups of water, salt and tamarind paste.
• Reduce the flame and let the gravy simmer until it reduces by half in volume .
• When oil starts to float on top its the right time to stop cooking.
• Eggplant Drumstick (கத்திரிக்காய்  முருங்கைகாய் குழம்பு) gravy is ready to be served with rice.

Note:

• Simmer the gas after the gravy boils and leave it until it becomes thick or oil floats
• Adjust the heat ,tanginess,salt according to ur taste.

Check for similar gravies Summa kulambhu ,Egg gravy,Gralicnshallots gravy