#20 : Mukkalapulusu ~ The mixed vegetable stew

If you are craving  Sambar ( the famous south Indian lentil stew ) and you don't have the time to make it , this recipe below makes an awesome substitute . It is easy , full of vegetables , needs very little oil and tastes great . I jotted this recipe from my mom-in-law last year and have made it several times . I am always amazed at how simple this is to make. Mix this up with piping hot rice and the first bite of it is sure to bring a contented smile on your face . 

Ingredients:

• 4 cup cubed Vegetables (Bottle Gourd , Indian Pumpkin , Eggplant , Drumstick )
• 5-6 Orka made into bite sized pieces
• 2 small Tomatoes
• 4-5 Small Green Chillies
• Lime sized Tamarind
• 3 Tbs Cilantro (chopped)
• 1 Tbs grated Jaggery
• 1 tsp Turmeric Powder
• 1 tsp Sambar Masala
• 2 Tbs Gram flour / Besan /Chickpea flour
• Salt

      For Tempering :

• 1 tsp Oil or Ghee
• 1/2 tsp - Mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp - Cumin seeds
• 2 Dried Red Chillis
• 1 tsp Red Chilli powder
• 1/8 tsp - Asafoetida
• 5-6 Curry Leaves

Method:

1. Cook the bottle gourd , pumpkin , eggplant, drumstick , tomatoes and green chillies in 3 cups of water until the vegetables are tender 
2. In a separate pan add a teaspoon oil and saute the orka until cooked 
3. Add the sauteed okra , tamarind , cilantro , jaggery , sambar masala , turmeric to the cooked vegetable-water mixture 
4. Boil for and simmer for 10 min
5. Wisk the gram flour/besan with enough water to make a smooth paste . Add this to thicken the vegetable water stew 
6. For Tempering - Heat oil/ghee , add mustard seeds . Once they begin to splutter add cumin seeds, red chilies , curry leaves, asafoetida and red chilli powder and fry for a minute . Add the tempering to the boiling vegetable stew mixture 
7. Garnish with chopped cilantro
8. Serve with hot rice . Also tastes great as a soup