Paruppu urundai kuzhambu

Back home, my mom always used to steam cook the lentil balls and then only we add it in the gravy for this kuzhambu. For me that seemed to be lot of work! Soak the dhal,grind it,make the balls,steam cook,prepare the kuzhambu,then add the balls..ufffffffff!! :-|
I never tried this kuzhambu for a real long time because of this reason. ;)At last, this time I tried adding the lentil balls directly in the gravy.It was yummy and I am very happy that part of the (steam cooking) work has been eliminated. :)

Ingredients :For the lentil balls
Channa dhal -1/2cup
Half of a big Onion
Green Chilli-1
Few curry leaves and Cilantro
Salt
Rice Flour-2tablespoon

To Grind
1/4th of the onion
Toamto-1
Coriander seeds-1teaspoon
Cumin seeds-1teaspoon
Red chilli-5
Coconut powder-11/2tablespoon
Oil

For kuzhambu
Remaining Onion
Green chilli-1
Tamarind juice-1/4cup
Few curry leaves
Mustard seeds-1teaspoon
Oil

Method
Wash and soak the dhal for 1 hour..grind it to a coarse paste, add chopped onion,curry leaves,cilantro and g.chilly. Make lemon size balls and keep aside.

Heat oil in a kadai, fry the items under "to girnd". Once the masala has cooled down grind it with little water to a fine paste.

In a separate pan,heat oil and make the tempering with mustard seeds,curry leaves,onion-g.chilly. Then add the masala paste,tamarind juice,enough salt and water. Bring it to boil.

Roll the lentil balls in the rice flour and add them carefully in the gravy. Don't disturb the lentil balls and cook for a few minutes. The balls will float once they are cooked.

urundai kuzhambu is ready to serve! enjoy it with hot rice.