Chettinad Milagu Kuzhambu

Black pepper tamarind gravy — a thin, medicinal, fiery preparation made purely from tamarind, freshly pounded black pepper, cumin, dried red chilli, and curry leaves. No vegetables, no protein — just pure spice and acid. Drunk as a digestive, thinned over rice during illness, and made daily in Chettinad homes as a rasam-like course.