Kadala Curry is a tasty, flavourful gravy made by cooking black chana along with coconut, onion, tomato, tempered spices and herbs. Kadala Curry is a popular Kerala sidedish relished as an accompaniment for Puttu and can be had with Aapam, Idiyappam etc. Kadala Curry Recipe is explained in this post 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 Alleppey 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 is going to be my keeper.
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, chapathi 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 adpated it to suit our taste and preference.
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 liek any other Kerala dish.
- Spices – Whole spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves are used. Garlic, ginger and green chillies are also used.
- Tempering – A basic tempering or tadka is made using coconut oil, musatrd seeds, curry leaves, red chillies and small onion.
- Spice powders – Turmeric powder, red chilli powder and coriadner powder is used.
If you have any more questions about this Kadala Curry Recipe do mail me at [email protected] In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Youtube and Twitter .
Tried this Kadala Curry Recipe ? Do let me know how you liked it. Also tag us on Instagram @sharmispassions and hash tag it on #sharmispassions.
Kadala Curry
Ingredients
- 1 cup black channa
- 1/8 tsp turmeric powder
- 2 cups water + water as needed
- salt to taste
To roast and grind
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- 1/2 cup coconut tightly packed
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- two 1 inch cinnamon
- 2 cloves
- 4 strands mace
- 1/2 tsp whole pepper
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 heaped tsp red chilli powder
- 1.5 tsp coriander powder
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg grated
To temper:
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- few curry leaves
- 2 small red chillies
- 1/3 cup small onion sliced
Others
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp garlic finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp ginger finely chopped
- 1 green chilli finely chopped
- 1 big onion sliced
- 2 tomatoes finely chopped
Instructions
- Soak 1 cup black channa in water for 8 hours or overnight.
- I usually soak overnight. After 8 hours rinse it well atleast twice.
- Add it to pressure cooker along with 2 cups water, salt and 1/8 tsp turmeric powder.
- Pressure cook for 6 whistles or until chana becomes soft. Switch off and let pressure release by itself.
- Open and check by pressing it should be soft and easily mashable. Set it aside.
- To a fry pan add 1 tsp coconut oil then add 1/2 cup grated coconut. Start roasting in low flame.
- Roast until reddish brown it will take atleast 7-10 mins. Transfer to a bowl, set it aside.
- Now to the same fry pan add 1 tsp fennel seeds, two 1 inch cinnamon, 2 cloves, 4 strands mace and 1/2 tsp whole pepper.
- Roast until aromatic and golden.
- Now add 1/4 tsp turmeric powder, 1 heaped tsp red chilli powder and 1.5 tsp coriander powder. Quickly roast it and switch it off.
- Add 1/4 tsp grated nutmeg.
- Give a quick mix and remove from flame.
- Transfer to the same bowl and cool down completely.
- Add little water and grind it to a fine paste and set it aside.
- To a claypot add 2 tbsp coconut oil. Once heated add 1 tsp garlic finely chopped, 1/2 tsp ginger finely chopped, 1 green chilli finely chopped. Give a quick saute.
- Add 1 sliced big onion along with salt. Saute until golden.
- Add 2 tomatoes finely chopped.
- Saute until tomatoes raw smell leaves and it turns mushy.
- Add the grinded paste along with 1/4 cup rinsed water.
- Give a quick mix and let it cook for 2 mins. We need not cook for long as its precooked.
- Add cooked chana along with cooked water.
- Mix it until well combined and Adjust salt at this stage.
- Let it boil for few mins until oil separates.
- Meanwhile we can prepare the tadka : Heat 2 tsp coconut oil – add 1 tsp mustard seeds, let it splutter. Add few curry leaves, 2 red chillies and 1/3 cup sliced small onion.
- Fry until onions turn golden. Switch off and remove.
- Add tadka to the boiling curry.
- Give a quick mix and switch off. As its claypot it is still boiling even after switching off.
- The curry tends to thicken with time so switch off accordingly.
- Delicious Kadala Curry is ready.
- Serve Kadala Curry with Puttu or Idiyappam or Aapam.
Video
Notes
- Make sure you dry roast coconut to reddish brown. Also after the spice powders are added quickly roast and switch off as they might get burnt easily.
- 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 saute onion, tomato until mushy and add it to ingredients while grinding to a paste.
- You can even add 1/2 cup coconut milk for great flavour in that case reduce coconut.
Kadala Curry Recipe 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 atleast twice.
3.Add it to pressure cooker along with 2 cups water, salt and 1/8 tsp turmeric powder.
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 tsp coconut oil then add 1/2 cup grated coconut. Start roasting in low flame.
8.Roast until reddish brown it will take atleast 7-10 mins. Transfer to a bowl, set it aside.
9.Now to the same fry pan add 1 tsp fennel seeds, two 1 inch cinnamon, 2 cloves, 4 strands mace and 1/2 tsp whole pepper.
10.Roast until aromatic and golden.
11.Now add 1/4 tsp turmeric powder, 1 heaped tsp red chilli powder and 1.5 tsp coriander powder. Quickly roast it and switch it off.
12.Add 1/4 tsp 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 tbsp coconut oil. Once heated add 1 tsp garlic finely chopped, 1/2 tsp 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 grinded paste along with 1/4 cup rinsed water.
21.Give a quick mix and let it cook for 2 mins. 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 mins until oil separates.
25.Meanwhile we can prepare the tadka : Heat 2 tsp coconut oil – add 1 tsp mustard seeds, let it splutter. Add few curry leaves, 2 red chillies 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 flavour in that case reduce coconut.
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.
AparnaRajeshkumar
sharmi ! feel bad that u took the issue so seriously ! Life has up and down Do not worry ! if something comes down Be happy because u are going to learn ! as well as u are going to get a good thing ! Life has to go on right ? health , happiness and family are our priority ! Pls Come back with Bang ! i am sure and wish and pray for your all good things ! Hugs !
Aarthi
This looks so yum, i have never tried this combo.Should try soon.
Veena Theagarajan
looks so yum! I love this.. Nothing more important than family and health.. All is well! Whatever happens is good for us.. Everything will be back to normal soon.. All the best.. take your time to settle the issues.. Take care
Sowmya
All your recipes are great and I learnt so many recipes from you more than from my mother. I really appreciate your dedication towards cooking and wish to continue many years. Thanks a lot…..
Ramya Narayanan
U know what… Cooking should be in such a way that ,it inspires others to cook. Ur cooking with the lovely presentation and clicks will inspire anyone to cook… Great work….!!.. luv ur blog…
Unknown
U r correct.I was inspired by my mother-in-law and inspired many if my friends.
Priya Suresh
Love to finish that whole plate rite now,irresistible curry too.
Shanthi
lovely recipe..very tempting… Every problem has its own solution…relax first and then think about the problem…you will definitely get right solution…life is to enjoy not to feel about problems…cool..
lekshmy natarajan
Heyyy Sharmi..I am a puttu kadala fan myself..n ur pics look AWESONE..n dont worry..whatever issues u have with ur site..will get ok soon..coz u r doing a great deal of good and hard work here…so neither can we nor can u afford to see any damage happening to his wonderful blog..GOOD LUCK..GOOD GOING..CHEEEEEERS!!!!!!!
Zareena
Putti pappadam mandala curry is a great combination which my husband likes a lot. Nice snaps Sharmi…
Srimathi Mani
Sharmi, this blog is important, but not as important as your peace. This problem you face too shall pass. So hang in there.
Suja Manoj
My favorite breakfast,yummy..
sujatha umesh
hello sharmi….hope u find a solution to ur problem…….u have a great blog….keep going….:)
Vimitha Anand
Everything are passing clouds… life wil be back to normal soon. dont worry. TC.. This combo is my favorite… missing it
manjooo
At my in-laws place in North Kerala, they prepare the kadala curry this way. And we have along with neer dosa…Just feel like making this soon..thanks for this recipe
long way to go lady…u always get motivated over here…so keep posting…god bless
mymoon raheema
Oh my god..I was searching for good kadala curry since a year….finally I got it.Thank u soo much akka for dis wonderful receipe.will gve a try soon.
Akka dont worry for anything,If some things wont work means,it is d tym for rest.I usually think like dis….funnyyy?
Just b cool akka,everythng will b alright.
I love the way of ur cooking and presentations….u always rockssssssss
Sundari
Hope to see your next post coming up soon with the message saying that the issue is resolved.. Good Luck Sharmi !!
Raks anand
Love the deep reddish colour of the curry. Lovely pictures 🙂
I have said this to you personally, still, dont worry its gonna work 🙂
Bhumi Jayalakshmi
Wow akka! Beautiful click! I just want to take that away and run! 😛
Will surely try this! You are my inspiration, to start a blog as well as to cook! 🙂
howdypancakes.blogspot.
Jayanthi Padmanabhan
Kamal says in Vettayadu Villayadu "Everything will be fine tomorrow. That's what I tell myself everyday." I love that dialogue. Keep the faith. Such hard work and dedication never fails. Wish you good luck in all your efforts.
Swapna
but what happened to Sharmi..plz can somebody share..
SHARMILEE J
Swapna, nothing serious just a small issue with a site made me go nuts…now I am ok 🙂
Swapna
ok dont worry ,be happy and share us ur mouthwatering dishes…
Nanthini Subash anandan
I tried this out today and it turned out to be perfect.. I can proudly say "this is the best kadala curry i ever made". Thanks for the wonderful recipe.. The picture is so appetizing!! 🙂
Bartanwale Kitchenware
agreed with nanthini ! picture perfect recipe ! wow
anyway was wondering do you guys know that puttu maker is now available online too.
at http://www.bartanwale.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=puttu
do check them out..
subin joseph
your mode of presentation is superb with step by step pics
Sarah David
thank u so much for this recipe. the step by step pictures really help!
priya Govindaraj
Sharmi, your recipes are great! Good job
Jyothi Chhabria
made this y'day and it was awesome. thank you for sharing the perfect kadala curry.
Umesh Gopalakrishnan
Awesome recipe. The aroma of fried coriander makes it even more delicious. Thank you
aasubram
Hi Sharmis,
I have been following your site for quiet sometime now. Tried this recipe and it tasted awesome. I jst drank the curry without the rotis 😀 thanks for the wonderful recipe and perfect measurements 🙂
Ponnambily Jobin
Hi Sharmi,
While going through the posted comments above, I understood that you might have gone through some issues. Nonetheless, I would like to tell you that I am a regular visitor of your site and very fond of you and your dishes.Please continue it….Do not stop it…..
ammuskitchenmenus.blogspot.com
Neeraja Swetha
Hi Sharmi, I have tried this recipe and had it with Appam. It tasted so good. Thanks
Jamila M.K
Thanks for posting this recipe.I t came out very well.pearl onion used in tadka enhances the flavor.I prepared the entire dish using coconut oil and it was awesome.. Thanks again
ManjuBala
Hi Sharmi,
I have tried many other recepies from your website. And today i have tried Kadala curry. It turned out so tasty, yummy.
Thank you sharmi.
I really love authentic taste of our dishes and To get ideas of authentic taste of tamil nadu dishes, should get through your website.
Awesome work sharmi.
Thank you.
Priya
Our family loves appam with this kerela kadalai curry recipe… Thank you for the recipe