“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