Unlike most of those plans/promises I have not been able to keep up, this time I could make it. As written in the previous post – here is the chinna vengaya thuvayal, ideal for lentil dosais. Also good for basic Idli and Dosai, but I believe the garlic content in this vengaya thuvayal helps to tackle the gastric problems which might arise for some, due to the protein rich whole lentils in the pancakes. In a whole, this thuvayal aids in digestion.

With simple ingredients and simpler preparation, this has the ability to change the earthy pancakes into a special treat or a quick and easy breakfast or dinner food.

 

Chinna Vengaya Thuvayal – Shallot Dip/Chutney

Ingredients (serves 4)

• chinna vengayam/shallots- 12 no.s
• poondu/garlic – 12 cloves
• milagai vatral/dried red chillies – 6 no.s (less or more)
• puli/tamarind – gooseberry size
• uppu/salt – to taste

thaalippu/seasoning:

• nallennai/gingelly oil – 6 tsp
• kadugu/mustard seeds – 1 tsp
• ulundham paruppu/dehusked black gram – 1 tsp
• kariveppilai/curry leaves – a few

 

 

Method of Preparation

1. Clean, wash and cut onions and garlic
2. Wash tamarind well
3. Grind to a smooth paste with red chillies, tamarind and salt
4. Heat 4 tsp oil, add mustard seeds and black gram; when the black gram is golden brown add curry leaves; fry for about 15 seconds in low flame and pour the blended paste
5. Stir the blended paste well in the seasoned oil
6. Fry/cook for about 10 minutes in slow flame
7. The texture and taste of the end thuvayal/dip depends on the family.  If one prefers a slight raw taste of onions, frying for 5 minutes is sufficient
8. Frying the thuvayal for 10 minutes would give it a darker shade colorwise and the raw smell of onions and garlic would be gone
9. Do not forget to stir at frequent intervals from the bottom of the pan as the thuvayal might stick to the bottom and be burnt very quickly
10. When the thuvayal is done, remove from the pan and transfer into a serving bowl
11. Heat 2 tsp oil in a pan; Pour on top of thuvayal that has a glow on top due to hot gingelly oil
12. Thuvayal is ready! While served with dosais, pour one or two teaspoons of gingelly oil for one of the best flavours you would have tasted till date!

 

Note:

1. The quantity of red chillies can be altered according to taste preferences.
2. Onions and garlic also contribute to the spice of the thuvayal – so try with lesser chillies and upgrade it the next time if needed.
3. More gingelly oil, tastier the thuvayal. The taste of gingelly oil helps in tackling the spice level and pungent smell of garlic and onion – hence do not be conscious of oil here.
4. Instead of seasoning first, one can also start with just heating the oil and pouring the blended paste and cooking together.This doesn’t make any difference to the taste.
5. Season the thuvayal in the end. Pouring the seasoned oil or just hot oil –  on top of the done thuvayal is very important to make the thuvayal a delight with any kind of lentil dosais.