Hunisehannina Gojju (Tamarind Sauce)

I always prepare this dish alongwith Pongal. This tangy, spicy sweet dish tastes delightful and enhances the taste of Pongal unfailingly every single time. I always make extra sauce as the kids love eating chips and crispy snacks with this sauce as a dip. This is another recipe that i made a practise to prepare after relishing its combined taste at "Kadambams" in Bangalore.

HUNISEHANNINA GOJJU (TAMARIND SAUCE) FOR PONGAL:





Ingredients:

1/2 cup thick tamarind extract
1/2 cup powdered jaggery
4 slit green chillies
1 tbsp grated ginger
1/4 tsp turmeric
salt to taste
1 tsp mustard seeds
1/4 tsp asafoetida
1/2 tsp jeera
1 sprig curry leaves
1 tsp oil

Method of preparation:

1. Bring together tamarind extract, jaggery, turmeric, ginger and salt.
2. Add 3/4 cup water and bring to a boil.
3. As the mix is coming to a boil, make a tempering of oil, mustard seeds, asafoetida, jeera, green chillies and curry leaves.
4. Add this tempering to the tamarind mix, mix well and switch off the flame.

Cool this and serve with Pongal.

Roasted Gram Dal Chutney

I always try out different chutneys mostly to avoid the use of coconut which is a big NO when you wanna watch your weight. Tomato and onion chutney, pudina, tur dal, roasted gram dal are all healthier options. Below mentioned is roasted gram dal chutney which i prepared as an accompaniment to the above mentioned steamed rice dumplings..... It makes a very good combination and is very filling as well.

ROASTED GRAM DAL CHUTNEY:



Ingredients:

1 cup roasted gram dal
4 green chillies
1 inch piece ginger
a small piece of tamarind (wet this with a little water)
salt to taste

for tempering:

1/4 tsp mustard seeds
1/4 tsp urad dal and chana dal mix
1 sprig curry leaves
1/2 tsp oil

Method of Preparation:

1. Blend all the ingredients mentioned for the chutney together. Use a little water.
2. Take this chutney in a bowl.
3. Take a little oil in a tempering kadai and heat it.
4. Once the oil is hot, add the urad and chana dal mix and once it browns, switch off the flame.
5. Immediately add mustard seeds and curry leaves. Stir well.
6. Add this to the chutney

Serve with idli, dosa or chapathi. Goes well with chilli bonda and alu bonda as well.
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