Chidambaram Kathirikai Gothsu | Brinjal Gosthu | Kathirikkai Gotsu

Chidambaram Kathirikai Gothsu, also known as Kathirikai Gotsu, is a popular and tasty Tamil Nadu side dish made with mashed brinjals, special masala powder, and tamarind. This dish is a specialty of the Tamil Nadu town of Chidambaram, particularly the world-famous Chidambaram Natarajan Temple. They offer this Kathirikai Gothsu to the deity along with Milagu jeeraga sadam or (pepper cumin rice) and distribute it to the devotees as prasadham. This recipe is so old that it appears in Tamil sangam literature. Traditionally, the brinjal is roasted over a flame or coal until it is scorched  and the skin turns black, then peeled and mashed, mixed with masala powder, and simmered in tamarind extract.

 As times change so does the process of cooking , here I have cooked this Kathirikai Gosthu in  a pressure cooker. Typically  Gosthu will be in thick gravy consistency but you can always adjust the consistency according to your taste preferences. This brinjal gotsu is best paired with Pongal, idli, dosa ,rava upma , arisi upma etc..Check out how to make this traditional yummy Chidambaram Kathirikai Gothsu recipe below.

 Ingredients 

For Masala

Bengal gram dal -2 Tbsps 

Coriander seeds  -2 Tbsps 

Fenugreek seeds  -1/8 Tsp 

Cumin seeds -1/2 Tsp 

Red chillies  -5-6 nos

Kashmiri red chillies  -2-3 nos (optional)

Asafoetida -1/8 Tsp 

Oil-1/2 Tsp 

Other ingredients 

Brinjal  -1/2 kg

Onion  -1-2 nos

Tamarind extract  -1/4 -1/2 cup

Turmeric powder  -1/2 Tsp 

Green chillies -2 nos 

Red chillies- 2 nos

Mustard seeds  -1/2 Tsp 

Bengal gram dal -1 Tsp

Urad dal -1 Tsp 

Cumin seeds -1/4 Tsp

Fenugreek seeds  -1/8 Tsp 

Asafoetida -1/8 Tsp 

Salt to taste 

Curry leaves few

Coriander leaves few

Oil -2-3 Tsps

Chidambaram Kathirikai Gothsu Recipe Video

Method 

👉First sauté the ingredients given For Masala in 1/2 Tsp oil until golden brown and cool it , powder finely, set aside.

👉Heat oil in a pressure cooker add mustard seeds, urad dal, Bengal gram dal, red chillies, green chillies, curry leaves, asafoetida and allow it to splutter. 

👉Add onion sauté for minutes .

👉Next add brinjals, turmeric powder, salt mix well.

👉Pour enough water to cover the brinjals (approximately around 1 1/2 cups).

👉Pressure cook for 3 whistles switch off the gas and allow the pressure to subside.

👉Open the cooker and  again switch on the gas and mash the brinjal lightly.

👉Add extra water and adjust the consistency and check for salt. 

👉Add the masala powder mix well without any lumps.The Gothsu thickens immediately after adding the masala so adjust consistency by adding water.

👉Cook for another 5 minutes garnish with coriander leaves and switch off the gas.

👉Serve hot with idli, dosa, pongal etc..

Note - 

✍️You can add peppercorns too for masala powder along with red chillies .I have Kashmiri red chillies just for colour you can avoid it.

✍️You can roast the brinjals over direct flame by smearing oil on top of the brinjals but it is a time consuming process ,you can give it a try if you want to.

Preparation Time-30 mins

Serves-5-6