Kadala Curry Recipe

Name: Kadala Curry Recipe | Kerala Kadala Curry
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 510 min
Ingredients: 1 cup black channa; 1/8 teaspoon turmeric powder; 2 cups water (+ water as needed); salt to taste; 1 teaspoon coconut oil; 1/2 cup coconut tightly packed; 1 teaspoon fennel seeds; two 1 inch cinnamon; 2 cloves; 4 strands mace; 1/2 teaspoon whole pepper; 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder; 1 heaped teaspoon red chilli powder; 1.5 teaspoon coriander powder; 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg grated; 1 teaspoon coconut oil; 1 teaspoon mustard seeds; few curry leaves; 2 small red chillies; 1/3 cup small onion sliced; 2 tablespoon coconut oil; 1 teaspoon garlic ((finely chopped)); 1/2 teaspoon ginger ((finely chopped)); 1 big sized onion sliced; 1 green chilli ((finely chopped)); 2 medium sized tomatoes ((finely chopped))

Last Updated On: Jan 22, 2025 by Sharmilee J

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Kadala Curry is a aromatic, flavorful gravy made by cooking black chana along with coconut, onion, tomato, tempered spices and herbs. Kadala Curry is a popular Kerala side dish relished as an accompaniment for Puttu and can be had with Aapam, Idiyappam etc. Learn to make Kadala Curry with step by step pictures and video.

Puttu Kadala Curry is one of my most favorite Kerala breakfast recipes. My search for a perfect Kerala Kadala Curry Recipe which comes close to the one tasted at Kerala finally ends here. Yes I have tried many versions and when I was on a casual talk with my friend who is from Kerala, she gave me this recipe and it came out pretty close to the one I tasted at Kerala so this has become my keeper recipe since few years.

About Kadala Curry

Kadala Curry – Kadala is black channa and a curry made with it is called Kadala Curry as it is popularly known in Kerala. Kadala Curry is traditionally served with Puttu or Aapam or Idiyappam. Chickpeas or Chana as it is locally called is rich in fiber and has all nutrients.

Traditional Kadala Curry is made by making a Kerala style garam masala roasting coconut until reddish brown then making a paste with it and add it to tempered items along with cooked chana.

Other than Puttu, Aapam, Idiyappam you can also serve Kadala Curry with idli, dosa, rice, chapati etc. There are many variations of this Kadala Curry some use coconut milk, some make it very simple without roasting ingredients, some do not use coconut at all. This traditional kadala curry recipe was shared to me by my friend and I loosely adapted it to suit our taste and preference.

Kadala Curry Video

Kadala Curry Ingredients

Black Chickpeas – Black Chana is traditionally used for kadala curry in Kerala.
Coconut – Coconut is the main ingredient to be used here like any other Kerala dish.
Spices – Whole spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves are used.
Oil – Coconut oil is the best to use. However you can use regular cooking oil too.
Tempering – A basic tempering or tadka is made using coconut oil, mustard seeds, curry leaves, red chilies and small onion.
Spice powders – Turmeric powder, red chili powder and coriander powder is used.
Others – Garlic, ginger and green chilies are also used.

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How to make Kadala Curry Step by Step

1.Soak 1 cup black channa in water for 8 hours or overnight.

2.I usually soak overnight. After 8 hours rinse it well at least twice.

3.Add it to pressure cooker along with 2 cups water, salt and 1/8 teaspoon turmeric powder.

pressure cook with salt, turmeric powder and water

5.Pressure cook for 6 whistles or until chana becomes soft. Switch off and let pressure release by itself.

6.Open and check by pressing it should be soft and easily mashable. Set it aside.

7.To a fry pan add 1 teaspoon coconut oil then add 1/2 cup grated coconut. Start roasting in low flame.

8.Roast until reddish brown it will take at least 7-10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, set it aside.

9.Now to the same fry pan add 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, two 1 inch cinnamon, 2 cloves, 4 strands mace and 1/2 teaspoon whole pepper.

10.Roast until aromatic and golden.

11.Now add 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 heaped teaspoon red chili powder and 1.5 teaspoon coriander powder. Quickly roast it and switch it off.

12.Add 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg.

13.Give a quick mix and remove from flame.

14.Transfer to the same bowl and cool down completely.

15.Add little water and grind it to a fine paste and set it aside.

16.To a claypot add 2 tablespoon coconut oil. Once heated add 1 teaspoon garlic finely chopped, 1/2 teaspoon ginger finely chopped, 1 green chilli finely chopped. Give a quick saute.

17.Add 1 sliced big onion along with salt. Saute until golden.

18.Add 2 tomatoes finely chopped.

19.Saute until tomatoes raw smell leaves and it turns mushy.

20.Add the grind paste along with 1/4 cup rinsed water.

21.Give a quick mix and let it cook for 2 minutes. We need not cook for long as its precooked.

22.Add cooked chana along with cooked water.

23.Mix it until well combined and adjust salt at this stage.

24.Let it boil for few minutes until oil separates.

25.Meanwhile we can prepare the tadka : Heat 2 teaspoon coconut oil – add 1 teaspoon mustard seeds, let it splutter. Add few curry leaves, 2 red chilies and 1/3 cup sliced small onion.

26.Fry until onions turn golden. Switch off and remove.

27.Add tadka to the boiling curry.

28.Give a quick mix and switch off. As its claypot it is still boiling even after switching off.

29.The curry tends to thicken with time so switch off accordingly.

30.Delicious kadala curry is ready.

Serve Kadala Curry with Puttu or Idiyappam or Aapam.

Expert Tips

Make sure you dry roast coconut to reddish brown. Also after the spice powders are added do not burn.
You can even replace small onion with big onion while tempering.
Pressure cook chana until soft depends on the variety of chana.
You can even add 1/2 cup coconut milk for great flavor in that case reduce coconut.

Serving and Storage

Kadala Curry can be served with puttu etc. This curry keeps well in fridge for 2 days, reheat and serve it.

FAQS

1.Can I replace black chana with white chana?

Yes you replace black chana or chickpeas with white chickepeas however traditionally black chickpeas is used for Kadala Curry in Kerala.

2.What is Kadala Curry made of?

Kadala Curry made using black chana along with coconut, onion, tomato, tempered spices and herbs.

If you have any more questions about this Kadala Curry Recipe do mail me at sharmispassions@gmail.com. In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Youtube and Twitter .

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