Simple South Indian Thali

Today I will be posting a simple Thali which we relish in Tamil Nadu. Sambar is the famous lentil based gravy from south India. Each house in the state has a special recipe for sambar. I prepare it like my mom. The sambar powder she makes is very simple yet delicious and at my in-law's place every one likes the sambar which I prepare. I also prepared poondu rasam, appalam, carrot poriyal and chenaikilangu varuval to go with it. The usual lunch is not complete with out curd and pickle. I have served ginger pickle for curd rice.



Today's Menu
Cooked Rice-Plain Rice cooked in Rice Cooker
Sambar-Lentil based gravy cooked along with vegetables
Poondu Rasam-Tamarind based garlic flavored soup
Carrot Poriyal-A sweet version of a side dish with carrot 
Chenaikilangu Varuval-Elephant foot yam roast
Aval Vadagam-Vadagam with Rice flakes 
Appalam
Curd/ Thayir
Inji/ Ginger Oorugai-Pickle with ginger

Today's Recipe:
Poondu Rasam:



Ingredients:
Garlic-2
Tamarind-a lemon sized ball
Tomato-2
Red Chilly-3
Pepper Powder-1/2tsp
Cumin Powder-1/2tsp
Oil-1tbs
Mustard Seeds-1/2tsp
Cumin seeds-1/2tsp
Urad Dhal-1/4tsp
Asafoetida/ Hing-1/4tsp
Turmeric Powder-1/4tsp
Methi Seeds-1/4tsp
Curry Leaves-a sprig
Water-4cups
Coriander Leaves-4tbs(finely chopped)

Procedure:
1. Soak tamarind in 1 cup of water.
2. After 10minutes, extract the thick juice out of tamarind.
3. Add some more water to the tamarind and extract second juice from it.
4. Discard pulp. In remaining water, crush tomato until mushy.
5. Add it to the tamarind water.
6. Grind garlic coarsely with out removing the skin. Add it to the tamarind water along with cumin and pepper powder
7. Heat oil in a pan and add cumin, mustard, urad dhal, methi seeds and asafoetida.
8. When they crackle add curry leaves and broken red chillies.
9. Add the tamarind water and let it heat until frothy. Do not allow the mixture to boil.
10. In a serving bowl, add salt and coriander leaves. Pour the frothy rasam on top and cover with lid.
11. Serve it hot with rice after 5 minutes.

The other dishes in the menu:




Carrot Poriyal



Chenaikilangu Roast(click to view recipe)






Sambar




Aval Vadagam





Inji Oorugai / Ginger Pickle




Home made Curd(click to view recipe)

Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM#15
Sending this to Srivalli's Thali Mela

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