Marundu/Milagu Kozhambu~ Medicinal Pepper Stew

Today I woke up with really bad body pain and terrible headache, So I called in sick, and crashed on the couch for the rest of the day and as if that was not bad enough, about half past noon the power went off and I dozed off in the sweaty heat only to wake up at 5pm!  I hate to fall ill (Who the devil likes to fall ill!!)

Anyways I was too tired to make anything for myself and did not like the packed lunch my mum had left for me so I fed off a HUGE bar of chocolate for lunch and for dinner I decided to get the hell out of bed and make myself something nice to eat! But I had no appetite and I was in no mood to eat another bar of chocolate for dinner. I was craving something nice and spicy yes something LIGHT! (..and something that did not involve too much work- A KISS recipe)

~ MILAGU KOZHAMBU~ 

 
Milagu Kozhambu a.k.a. Pepper stew is usually prepared if someone is suffering from incurable cold/cough, body pain or allergic sneeze as it is known to provide immediate  relief .. No My dear reader I won't bore you with the medicinal properties of Pepper :)

Ingredients
4-5shallots -peeled and chopped Optional- Half a tomato chopped finely
A small ball of tamarind soaked in water, dissolved and filtered

For  Powder

• 2 spoons Pepper corns
• 1/2 spoon Toor dhal (Thuvaram Parupu)
• 1/2 spoon Jeera seeds
• 1/2 spoon channa daal (Kadala Parupu)
• 1/4 spoon fenu greek seeds
• Roast the ingredients over low flame and Grind coarsely and preserve in an air tight container 

To saute

• Mustard 
• Jeera seeds
• Red chillis and
• Curry leaves

 Methods

• Heat a kadai and add 2 spoons of vegetable oil
• Add the Mustard, Jeera, Fenu greek seeds and red chillies - splutter over low flame
• Add the chopped shallots, and tomatoes and fry 
• Add the tamarind filtrate and bring to a boil
• Add the required amount of Powder according to your taste (I added 2 spoonful)
• Sprinkle some Asofoetida and let the gravy simmer
• This will be ready in less than 5-6 minutes
• Serve with hot rice and sleep off after the meal

I am a sucker for Smilies :)

  P.S. My body pain is gone but now I have a running nose! :P