“Summa Kuzhambu” is an easy to make, spicy (thin) gravy traditionally prepared in the chettinad household when there is no suitable vegetable to make a sambar or Kuzhambu. “Summa” in Tamil language in this context means “Nothing in the gravy”. It is also made if everyone is bored of eating vegetables and also times when the achi’s are not in mood to cook an elaborate meal 😉
PREP TIME: 3 Mins
COOKING TIME: 7 Mins
Ingredients
Shallots – 1 cup
Tomato – ½ cup
Mustard – 1/2 tea spoon
Urad dal – 1/2 tea spoon
Fenugreek seeds – ¼ teaspoon
Fennel Seeds – ¼ teaspoon
Garlic – 1 crushed
Curry leaves – 1 sprig
Sambar powder – 3 teaspoons
Tamarind water – ½ cup
Salt – per taste
Oil – 2 teaspoons
Procedure
STEP 1: Chop onion and tomato.
STEP 2: Soak the tamarind in water. Discard the pulp and save tamarind water.
STEP 3: Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds and wait till it splutters. Add urad dal, fenugreek seeds, fennel seeds and curry leaves.
STEP 4: Add the crushed garlic, onions and tomatoes. Cook for 2 minutes.
STEP 5: Add the sambar powder, tamarind water and salt. Mix well and let it cook for 5 minutes on high flame.
TIP: Summa Kuzhambu ready to be served. It can be served with rice or Idli.
Other combinations
- Summa Kuzhambu and Thengai pal kanji
- Summa Kuzhambu and Paruppu thuvaiyal with cooked rice