Milagu thokku / Pepper gravy

Pepper gravy

Ingredients (Serves for 3)

black Pepper - 4 tsp

coriander seeds - 1 1/2 tsp

red chili - 2

garlic - 4 pods

gram dal / kadala paruppu-  1 tsp

toor dal - 1 tsp

jaggery - 1 tsp

curry leaves - few

cumin seeds -2 tsp

salt - as needed

sesame oil - 10 - 12 tsp

mustard seeds - 1 tsp

tamarind - 1 inch piece

asafoetida- a pinch

Method:

• grind black pepper, coriander seeds, red chili, garlic, gram dal, toor dal, jaggery, curry leaves, 1 tsp of cumin seeds together to a smooth paste
   
• heat a vessel with oil and add mustard seeds, 1 tsp of cumin seeds
• once it splutters, add the grounded masala
  
• extract tamarind juice in 1/2 cup of water and add it to the masala
  
• add salt, asafoetida and  cook covered till oil oozes out from the masala
  
• once the oil is out and the gravy becomes thick, switch off the flame
• serve with hot rice