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Vaththalkozhambu (Indian hot+sour sauce/soup)

Make Vaththalkozhambu (Indian hot+sour sauce/soup) at home with Salt, Red Chilli Powder Hot At Most Grocers, and Cooking Oil. Scale it up or down for the number of people at the table.

Ingredients

• 1 tsp
• 4 tsp
• 1 tsp
• 4 tsp
• 1 pinch
• 3 tsp

Method (preview)

1. 1

   The usual way to eat it is to mix it with boiled plain rice.

2. 2

   Some edible oil or melted butter can be added to reduce the hot taste depending on the taste buds.

3. 3

   Turn on the exhaust fan before the spice roast smell hits you!

4. 4

   Filter the juice to remove any dregs. Keep it away for now.

5. 5

   Keep it away for now.

6. 6

   5. Add in order

7. 7

   Mustard, Chana Daal, Vendhayam (Fenugreek), and Peanuts.

8. 8

   If available, add Sundaikkai and/or ManaththangaLikkai vaththal.

9. 9

   6. Wait till the Daal gets brown (or Mustard starts cracking) and turn stove to low heat.

10. 10

    8. Add Asafoetida, cover pan and let it boil for 4-5 minutes.

11. 11

    Mix evenly and let it simmer till it thickens to the consistency of a thick soup - about 3-5 minutes.

12. 12

    Put the stove on medium heat if need be.

13. 13

    The water will evaporate from the mix and the mix will thicken - don't let it burn.

14. 14

    Keep an eye on it and turn stove off to cool when done.

15. 15

    AppaLaams (also called Paapad) are available at all Indian grocers.

16. 16

    AppaLaam is Sun dried rice/lentil wafer - a very tedious recipe.

17. 17

    Roast a few appaLaams directly over a gas grill or electric stove coil.

18. 18

    To make an even roast, keep alternating the side of the appaLaam to the flame.

19. 19

    To overcome this intricate roasting, some grocers sell microwave appaLaam now.

20. 20

    If roasting doesn't work, try deep frying the appaLaam - again, heat the oil well first and don't let the appaLaam become dark.

21. 21

    If all else fails, get a bag of good corn / potato chips.

22. 22

    Boil and cool 1 cup of plain rice.

23. 23

    Add a teaspoon of edible oil or melted butter.

24. 24

    Add vaththalkuzhambu and mix.

25. 25

    Add more oil or butter as needed for taste.

26. 26

    Enjoy this with appaLaam as side dish.

27. 27

    Mix boiled and cooled rice with plain yogurt to an edible consistency.

28. 28

    Add a pinch of salt. Eat this with 'vaththalkuzhambu' as side dish.