As Tirunelveli is for halwa, Manaparai for murukku, Madurai for jiggirthanda, Chidambaram's Kathirikkai / Brinjal Gothsu is very famous and tasty. Usually we make Gothsu in a gravy form. But here it is made thicker than gravy and almost to the consistency of Thokku / pickle. It is given along with Sambha rice in Lord nataraja Temple and there onions are not added. But while served in hotels and feasts small onions are added and this side dish is really a mouth watering, spicy and flavourful that can be had with anything...
Mustard seedsurad dal and curry leaves for seasoning
Jagerry a gooseberry size
Asafoetida / Hing powder 1/2 tea spoon
For Spice Powder:
Coriander seeds 5 tea spoons
Bengal gram / Chana dal 2 tea spoons
Urad dal 2 tea spoon
Pepper 1 tea spoonCumin seeds 1/2 tea spoon
Red chillies 5 or 6
Fenugreek seeds 1/2 tea spoon
Dry roast all the above items in a pan separately to golden brown and powder them together and keep aside.
Instructions
Heat a heavy bottomed pan with oil.
Fry the brinjals till they become dull and light brown in colour.
Now put the sliced Onions to the pan and fry for 2 minutes more.
Now add the salt, asafoetida powder, some curry leaves and turmeric powder and mix well.
Pour the tamarind juice in to it.
When they start boiling and brinjals are cooked well, with a masher or ladle just mash the brinjals well.
Add jagerry too.
When the gravy gets thickened add the spice powder and mix well.
Boil the stuff till the oil separates.
Do the seasoning with mustard seeds, urad dal and curry leaves.