Drum Stick Huli

Ingredients

• - 400g drumstick sambar Karnataka
• - 2 tbsp groundnut or coconut oil
• - 2 onions
• - 2 tomatoes
• - 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• - 1 tsp red chilli powder
• - 1 tsp coriander powder
• - 1/4 tsp turmeric
• - 1 sprig curry leaves
• - Salt to taste

Method

1. Prepare drumstick: Wash 6-8 drumstick pods. Scrape lightly. Cut into 2-inch pieces.
2. Soak tamarind: Soak a lemon-sized tamarind in 1.5 cups warm water. Extract and strain.
3. Make Karnataka huli masala: Blend half cup fresh grated coconut, 4 dried red chillies, 1 tbsp coriander seeds, half tsp cumin, half tsp peppercorns and half tsp turmeric to a smooth paste.
4. Cook toor dal: Pressure cook half cup toor dal for 4 whistles. Mash completely.
5. Cook drumstick in tamarind: Add tamarind water, drumstick pieces, half tsp turmeric and salt to a pan. Boil 8-10 minutes until drumstick is tender.
6. Add mashed dal: Add mashed toor dal. Stir well.
7. Add coconut masala: Add the huli masala. Mix thoroughly. Add half cup water.
8. Simmer: Cook on medium heat 8-10 minutes until well blended.
9. Make tempering: Heat 2 tbsp oil. Add 1 tsp mustard seeds — when they pop add 2 dried red chillies and curry leaves. Add 8 sliced shallots and fry until golden. Pour over huli.
10. Serve: Adjust salt. Drumstick huli is Karnataka's tamarind-coconut drumstick sambar. Serve with steamed rice.