Paruppu Urundai Kuzhambu is just the steamed lentils dumplings cooked in tamarind gravy, this steamed dumplings absorbs the tangy taste of tamarind gravy n tastes really delicious..this is my mom's signature dish, she used to prepare whenever we feel like having something tangy without any special side dish coz this lentils dumplings goes very well as even side dish for any rice dishes, splly for rasam n curd rice, we used to call this gravy as 2 in 1 gravy when we were kids...This Kuzhambu tastes really divine after a day as side dish for idlies, dosas also for rotis...Needless to say this is one of my favourite dish.
For Lentils Dumplings:1cup Channa dal
1no Onion chopped
2nos Green chillies chopped
1/2tsp Fennel seeds
1/4cup Grated coconut
1tsp Ginger pieces
1/4tsp Salt
5nos Curry leaves
For Gravy:1cup Tamarind juice
1no Onion chopped
1no Tomato chopped
5nos Garlic cloves (crushed)
1tsp Redchilly powder
1tsp Coriander powder
1/4cup Coconut milk
1/2tsp Mustard seeds+fenugreek seeds
Curry leaves
Salt
Oil
Soak the channa dal in water for atleast 2hours...wash thoroughly n grind the soaked channa dal with fennel seeds n salt into coarse paste, add the chopped onion pieces,chopped green chilly pieces, ginger pieces, curry leaves and grated coconut, mix everything well with ur fingers, take a small portion and roll them as small lemon size, finish everything as small lemon size balls, meanwhile heat a cup of water in pressure cooker n place the lemon sized channadal balls over a plate and steam cook as we do for idlies upto 10 minutes..
Keep aside n let them cool..
Heat enough oil in a kadai, add the mustardseeds n fenugreek seeds, let them splutters, add the onion pieces, crushed garlic,curry leaves n tomato pieces , saute everything until they get cooked, add the tamarind juice with redchilly powder, coriander powder and salt (dont add much salt,as we have already added salt in the dumplings, if salt is not enough can also add them before putting off the stove),once they starts boiling add the coconut milk n put in simmer..let them boil for few minutes, add the steam cooked dumplings to the boiling tamarind gravy, cook everything for 10 minutes, check for salt and put off the stove...
Serve hot with hot steaming rice n fried papads!!