VIRUNDHOMBAL

Karamani Pulikuzhambu is another variety of pulikuzhambu with black eyed peas and brinjal. Black eyed peas are called karamani or thattapayaru in Tamil. We use thattapayaru in sundal or sometimes add in poriyal along with other veggies.  This karamani pulikuzhambu is similar to our Tirunelveli pulikuzhambu with a few variations. Drumstick pulikuzhambu and brinjal pulikuzhambu are quite popular in Tirunelveli. But it doesn't mean that you can make pulikuzhambu only with these two vegetables. You can make pulikuzhambu similarly with vathals, black chickpeas, bitter gourd, karunai kizhangu, etc. and you can use any one of these vegetables for this kuzhambu. But the taste varies a little depending upon the vegetables or vathals we add. Normally we reduce onions and garlic for pulikuzhambu made with vegetables because the garlic flavour will reduce the vegetables taste. For pulikuzhambu we don't make any separate powder and every time we prepare fresh masalas by roasting the spices ...

Kadayam is a small village in the Tenkasi district. . Kadayam village is near to our hometown Ilanji and this vathakuzhambu is a famous dish in a mess. Last year Suresh sir, asked me to prepare this Kadayam vathakuzhambu in the Amul live cookery show. Before that I haven't tried this vathakuzhambu. Later, my Perippa arranged to get the recipe from his friend Kalyani Sivagaminathan Sir from Kadayam. Then he gave me their contact details. Their mess name is Kalyani Chettiyar mess. She shared the vathakuzhambu recipe clearly with the step by step instructions and cooking methods. The way she explained made me to try this vathakuzhambu on that day for our lunch, but somehow delayed posting in Virundhombal. Again prepared this vathakuzhambu on the next day evening for the live show. After watching my live show, they were very happy and appreciated it. It turned out well. I liked the taste of sundakkai vathal and the garlic on the next day because they got soaked well in the tamarind gra...