Murungaikkai Thokku / Drumstick Thokku

Thokku refers to very thick gravy in Tamil. This one is for those who love drumsticks.. I've seen people who avoid drumsticks just because they are lazy to eat it. I usually prepare this whenever i get very fresh drumsticks here. This thokku goes with everything; rice , idli or dosa. I like this with Idli. :-)

Ingredients:

Drumsticks long 3
Tomatoes 3
Garlic 3
Onion - 1 or pearl onions few
Tamarind a small gooseberry size
Sambar Powder 2 tbsp
Pepper Powder 1/4 tsp
Turmeric Powder 1/4 tsp
Hing a generous pinch
Salt
Water


To temper:

Mustard Seeds
Urad Dhal
Fenugreek seeds
Curry leaves
Oil

Method:

Chop one tomato into very fine pieces. Puree the other two tomatoes. Chop onions and garlic into fine pieces. Cut drumsticks.

Extract tamarind pulp using 1 1/2 - 2 cups of water.

Heat oil in a pan. When hot, add mustard seeds. When they start popping up, add urad dhal, curry leaves, hing, turmeric powder and chopped garlic. When it turns slightly brown, add the fenugreek seeds and chopped onions. Fry till the onions turn translucent. Add chopped and pureed tomatoes. Fry till the oil leaves to the sides of the gravy. 

Now add chopped drumsticks, sambar powder and salt. Mix well. Allow cooking on a low flame for 8-10 minutes with stirring now and then. 

When it is about half cooked, add the tamarind extract and allow boiling until it reaches the desired consistency and done.

Serves: 2

Serve with Rice, Idli or Dosa.

Notes:  You can add brinjal to this thokku. If you like slightly sweet taste in the gravy, add little jaggery. If you wish to avoid sambar powder, you can use a combination of chilly powder, coriander powder and cumin powder. 

This goes to Vegan Thursdays.