Melagu Poondu Kolambu (Pepper Garlic Kolambu)

Ingredients:

Black Pepper - 1/2 tbsp

Jeera - 1/2 tbsp

Garlic - 6-7 pods

Tamarind - Small lemon size

Sambar Powder - 1 tsp

Turmeric Powder - a pinch

Onion - 1 big size finely chopped

Curry Leaves - few

Oil - 2 tbsp

Mustard - 1/2 tsp

Salt - as per taste

Method:

1. Soak tamarind in water and extract the juice. Add sambar and turmeric powder to the tamarind water, stir well and keep it aside.

2. In a kadai put a tsp of oil and fry the pepper first. When it starts popping up, remove. Add jeera , leave it to splutter, remove and add garlic. Fry the garlic till it turns light brown. Remove and cool it.

3. Grind fried pepper, jeera and garlic together to a fine paste and add little water.

4. In a tawa, pour the remaining oil, add mustard. When it pops up, add chopped onion, curry leaves and fry just for second.

5. Then add tamarind water and stir well. Add salt and bring to boil. When it starts boiling, add the pepper paste and mix well.

6. Allow to boil just for 5-10 seconds.

This is best suited for cold, Its is a bit spicy and goes well with rice / idly.