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July 11, 2016

Kadala Curry Recipe – Kerala Kadala Curry For Puttu, Appam

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Kerala Kadala curry
Kadala curry is the most popular, traditional side dish for puttu and appam/palappam in Kerala. Its a very healthy side dish recipe which is ideal for breakfast. In Tamil, we call this as Kondakadalai Kurma, Chana gravy in English, Kala chana kurma in Hindi. Last week I shared Kerala Puttu Recipe in my space. As I promised in that post, here is the Nadan kadala curry recipe with coconut.I watched this You tube video to try the authentic recipe as its my first attempt. It came out very well and tasted yummy with Puttu. I am sure it tastes well for appam and dosa too. Though the procedure seems little bit lengthy, its worthy to try. Even though Black chana is widely used for this recipe, I think even white chana would do. After trying this authentic version, I am looking for a simple kadala curry recipe without coconut. Friends, please mail me the recipe in my inbox if you have any. Ok, now lets see how to make Kerala style Kadala curry recipe for Puttu, Appam.


Kadala curry recipe

Kadala curry recipe - Kerala Nadan style


Kadala curry recipe - Kerala Nadan style Kerala kadala curry recipe
Cuisine: Kerala
Category: Side dish for Puttu,appam
Serves: Serves 4
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 20 Minutes
Total time: 30 Minutes


INGREDIENTS
1 cup - 200ml
  • Black Chana/ Kondakadalai - 1 cup
  • Coconut oil – 1 tbsp
  • Tomato - 2 nos 
  • Big onion - 1 no
  • Ginger,garlic paste - 1 tbsp
  • Green chilli - 1 no ( slitted)
  • Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
  • Coconut bits - 1/4 cup ( optional)
  • Water & salt - as needed
To grind
  • Coconut oil - 2 tsp
  • Grated coconut - 1/2 cup
  • Red chilli powder - 1 tbsp ( I used Kashmiri chilli powder)
  • Dhania powder -1.5 tsp
  • Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
  • Big onion - 1/2 no or small onion - 4 nos
  • Cinnamon - 1 inch piece
  • Cloves - 3 nos
  • Cardamom - 2 no
  • Fennel seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Water - as needed
To temper
  • Coconut oil - 1 tbsp
  • Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
  • Red chilli - 1 no
  • Big onion – 1/2 no ( chopped finely. I din’t use)
  • Curry leaves - few
METHOD

  • Wash and soak the chana overnight. It would be doubled in quantity after soaking. Slice the onion,chop tomato into small pieces. Set aside.
Kadala curry recipe
  • Heat coconut oil in a pressure cooker and saute the onions, G&G paste till the raw smell of paste goes off. Now add the slitted green chilli, tomato pieces. Saute till tomato turns mushy.Add the coconut bits (if using) and saute well. Add the soaked chickpeas, turmeric powder, salt and 1.5 cups of water.Let it pressure cook in low flame for 2 whistles.Remove the lid after the steam is released. Mix well.
Kadala curry recipe
Kadala curry recipe
Kadala curry recipe
  • In the mean time, heat coconut oil in a kadai and saute the cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, onion, grated coconut, fennel seeds.Saute till grated coconut turns slightly golden.To this, add the red chilli powder, turmeric powder, dhania powder and mix well. Let it cool. Then grind everything to a smooth paste adding enough water.
Kadala curry recipe
Kadala curry recipe
  • After opening the cooker, add the ground paste, 1/2 cup of water and let it boil for few minutes till the gravy reaches desired consistency. When the gravy boils, check for taste.Add more salt or chilli powder if needed. If you want very thin, watery gravy add 1/4 cup more water. If you want thick, switch it off after boiling for sometime. I made it slightly thick.
Kadala curry recipe
  • In a small kadai, heat coconut oil and splutter mustard seeds, pinched red chilli, chopped onions and curry leaves. Add to the gravy. Mix well and serve with puttu, appam, dosa !!
Kadala curry recipe
Enjoy !
NOTE : If you want to thicken the gravy, you can grind a handful of cooked chana to a paste and add it along with coconut paste.By doing this, gravy will thicken quickly and adds a taste too.

Note

  • Adjust the quantity of spice powders are per your taste.
  • In some recipes, I found dhania seeds were used instead of dhania powder. So you can also try that for variations.
  • Do not add more water while cooking chana. Use only the needed else gravy will be too watery and you have to boil it for longer time to thicken it.
Try this yummy, traditional Kerala style Kadala curry and enjoy with puttu, appam Happy
Kerala kadala curry recipe


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8 comments :

Saraswathy Balakrishnan said...

I just love tis gravy with puttu..looks good Chitra

Chitra said...

Hello mam, Its very nice to see your comment in my space after years :) Hope everything is good :)

Unknown said...

wow puttu with Kadala curry is just an awesome combo :) looks so yummy and you have nailed it !!

Chitra said...

Thank you :)

laxman said...

can we use this curry with wheat puttu ?

Chitra said...

Yes, any puttu is fine. Hope it tastes good :)

Janakipremkumar said...

Tried this yummy kadalai curry for aapam today came out really well

Unknown said...

Hmmm.. i just blend ginger, garlic, onion, tomato hybrid, green chillies, soaked cashew (optional), tamarind, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, green cardamom, pepper, cloves. No coconut if in a hurry. Cook the brown channa to a very soft state adding tea powder, salt and two cloves.mash a hand full of cooked channa. Heat oil, add the paste, cook till oil separates, and add the mashed and cooked channa. Garnish with coriander and mint leaves chopped.