Poondu Kulambu is a spicy and flavorful curry made using garlic, tamarind, spice powders, herbs and spices. Poondu Kulambu is an excellent choice when we run out of vegetables and perfect to serve with rice, idli and dosa. Learn to make tasty Poondu Kuzhambu with step by step pictures and video.
I’ve tried many versions of puli kuzhambu, each one different in its own way. But finally settled down with this one which is my keeper as its our family favorite. This is a very easy and quick recipe that you can prepare in just 20 minutes if you have all the ingredients in hand. I served it with rice, sutta appalam and sundakkai kootu. Do try and enjoy this poondu kuzhambu!
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About Poondu Kuzhambu
‘Poondu’ in tamil means Garlic and ‘Kuzhambu’ means Curry so Poondu Kuzhambu translates to Garlic Curry. This Poondu Kuzhambu is a tangy spiced South Indian curry perfect to pair up with idli, dosa, rice, chapati etc. It is one of the easy and quick side dish that you can prepare for lunch to pair up with rice and use left overs for dinner with idli, dosa.
This South Indian curry is packed with flavors and keeps well for 2 days. It tastes best the next day with idli or dosa, pairs well with hot steamed rice too. I love it even with curd rice so delicious.
I love garlic in any form, so this kuzhambu is obviously my favorite. The spicy and tangy taste with a dash of sweetness is perfect for rice, idli or even dosa. This keeps well for 3-4 days. You can add any other vegetable of your choice like ladies finger, brinjal etc.
Garlic Kuzhambu Video
Garlic Kuzhambu Ingredients
- Garlic – Garlic is the main ingredient here which flavors the curry. You can use small garlic variety or big ones according to your liking.
- Small Onion – Small Onion adds flavor to the curry.
- Tamarind – Tamarind forms the base for this curry along with the grind paste.
- Tempering – A basic tempering is done with mustard seeds, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, hing and curry leaves.
- Spice powders – Turmeric powder, red chili powder and coriander powder is added to this curry.
- Jaggery – Powdered jaggery is added at the last stage to balance the taste.
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How to make Garlic Kuzhambu Step by Step
1.To a bowl add 1/4 cup tamarind (tightly packed). Add around 1 and 1/2 cups water to it.
2.Crush it well and set aside.
3.To a kadai add 3 tablespoon gingelly oil. Gingelly oil is best to use however you can use any cooking oil too.
4.Add 1 teaspoon mustard seeds let it splutter. Add 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds, few curry leaves and a pinch of hing. Let it crackle.
5.Add 10-15 small onion, 20-25 garlic cloves.
6.Fry until it turns slightly golden.
7.Add 1 and 1/2 tablespoon red chili powder and 3 tablespoon coriander powder. Spice powders give thickness to this curry.
8.Saute well for few seconds.
9.Strain and add tamarind extract.
10.Add 1/2 cup water.
11.Cook covered for 15 minutes or until thick and oil separates. Stir in between to avoid sticking or burning at the bottom.
12.Oil separates and the curry becomes thick. Add 1 teaspoon jaggery powder to it and mix well.
13.Switch off.
Serve it hot with rice and vegetable of your choice.
Store in a clean container and it keeps well in room temperature for 2 days.
Expert Tips
- You can omit jaggery if you don’t like sweet taste in your curry but we love it as the tangy spicy taste compliments well with the sweetness.
- The spice powders gives thickness to the curry so add as mentioned. Adjust spice level according to your preference.
- You can also add vegetables like brinjal, ladies finger with garlic. Just saute the veggies like we do for garlic and onion and follow the same procedure.
- This is medium spicy, if you like it more spicy add 2 tablespoon red chili powder and 4 tablespoon coriander powder.
Serving & Storage
Serve Poondu Kuzhambu with rice and any stir fried vegetables, tastes best when had fresh. Keeps well in room temperature for 5-6 hours, refrigerate it and it keeps well for 2 days in fridge.
If you have any more questions about this Poondu Kuzhambu Recipe do mail me at sharmispassions@gmail.com. In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest ,Youtube and Twitter .
Tried this Poondu Kulambu Recipe? Do let me know how you liked it. Also tag us on Instagram @sharmispassions and hash tag it on #sharmispassions.
📖 Recipe Card
Poondu Kulambu Recipe | Garlic Kuzhambu Recipe
Ingredients
- 10-15 small onion
- 20-25 garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 and 1/2 tablespoon ed chili powder
- 3 tablespoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon jaggery powder
- salt to taste
To temper
- 3 tablespoon gingelly
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
- a pinch hing
- few curry leaves
For tamarind extract
- 1/4 cup tamarind
- 1 and 1/2 cups water
Instructions
- To a bowl add 1/4 cup tamarind (tightly packed). Add around 1 and 1/2 cups water to it.
- Crush it well and set aside.
- To a kadai add 3 tablespoon gingelly oil.
- Add 1 teaspoon mustard seeds let it splutter. Add 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds, few curry leaves and a pinch of hing. Let it crackle.
- Add 10-15 small onion, 20-25 garlic.
- Fry until it turns slightly golden.
- Add 1 and 1/2 tablespoon red chili powder and 3 tablespoon coriander powder.
- Saute well for few seconds.
- Strain and add tamarind extract.
- Add 1/2 cup water.
- Cook covered for 15 minutes or until thick and oil separates. Stir in between to avoid sticking or burning at the bottom.
- Oil separates and the curry becomes thick. Add 1 teaspoon jaggery powder to it and mix well.
- Switch off.
Video
Notes
- You can omit jaggery if you don’t like sweet taste in your curry but we love it as the tangy spicy taste compliments well with the sweetness.
- The spice powders gives thickness to the curry so add as mentioned. Adjust spice level according to your preference.
- You can also add vegetables like brinjal, ladies finger with garlic. Just saute the veggies like we do for garlic and onion and follow the same procedure.
- This is medium spicy, if you like it more spicy add 2 tablespoon red chili powder and 4 tablespoon coriander powder.
Roshan
spicy, tangy and looks very gorgeous!!
Mahimaa's kitchen
love poondu kozhambu! looks very tempting.
Sreelekha Sumesh
i love the flavour of garlic" the gravy looks so gy and spicy>yummm
RAKS KITCHEN
I love this more than anything,if you give me everyday also I will eat this 🙂 Sounds mouthwatering your version!
Jaisy James
wow nice recipe
Jaisy James
wow nice recipe
Anonymous
When do we add the ground paste??????
chaitrali pathak
looks superb…lovely clicks
Sharmilee! :)
@Anonymous : The ground paste shouls be added after tamarind water…have updated it in the recipe too 🙂 Anyways thanks for the mention
Priya
Fingerlicking kuzhambu, very tempting..
Angie's Recipes
A very flavourful winter dish! Imaging all the gravy over the steamed rice…mmm…yummy!
An Open Book
my mouth is watering just looking at it…
Rachana
Wow! The curry looks so mouthwatering… feel like having some with rice now:-)
indianspicemagic
Thanks for visiting my blog.Good snaps.I too love to watch zee tamil but unfortunately we dont have it in my place.Will be post few more bread snacks & sweets in my blog.
jeyashrisuresh
my fav one, looks very yummy and i am drooling over the pictures. Never tried adding fresh ground masala. bookmarking this
Kairali sisters
This looks so good Sharmilee..I can see how great it would taste with piping hot rice…
Torviewtoronto
yummy curry looks delicious
Chitra
My mom makes similar to this. Looks mouthwatering sharmi 🙂
Shabitha Karthikeyan
Delicious Poondu Kuzhambu. As you said it will be super good with Idly.
Yummy Team
Love your pictures and presentation, Sharmilee..Puli kuzhambu looks very yum!! I love garlic so am sure I would love this kuzhambu..Will try it sometime..
Srimathi
Do you know just looking at your post made my mouth water. I have a strong feeling that its going to be prepared soon.
Shyla
Never heard of this. Delicious, will love to try it! YUM!
Nitha
Would love to try this… Bookmarked..
GEETHA ACHAL
I love this version…Looks so tempting…
Reshmi
hey sharmi…i love the garlic curry…especially it with garlic n ofcourse a chettinad cuisine i love it…looks really special n spicy..
Shanthi
Looks perfect and tempting
Kalyani
totally new to me … looks tempting …….
Ananda Rajashekar
mouthwatering sharmi….i prefer next day with crisp dosa 🙂 Sigh as of now i can only think
kothiyavunu.com
yummy looking kuzhambu…I love chettinad cuisine for the spice factor..this looks terffic and mouthwatering.
Anonymous
hi, I tried this recipe and it came out tasty and its a coconut free version,so more healthy.
Thanxs, Deepa
Sharmilee! :)
@Deepa : Thats nice to hear that it came out well!
nimi
Nice, delicious kuzhambu, pramadamana kuzhambu… yes, we had it for lunch! Never tried such a curry… so it was different, I dont like tangy taste but the jaggery and spice helped,anyway next time will reduce the amount of tamarind.But it was really tasty with rice and it looked the same as in your pic. I doubt if there will be any left to taste tomorrow!
Thank you Sharmi once again!
Sharmilee! :)
@Nimi : Wow super….Try next time reserving some for the next day…it tastes yumm 🙂
GeethuSathiyaN
Hi,sharmi recipe luks awesome,gonna try it 2morow.Usually kuzhambu/gojju used to taste at its best when had a day after it is prepared….try tis too
Pavithra
Sharmi i am going to try this version today .. will let u know tomm…
Sharmilee! :)
@Pavithra : Sure do try and let me know Pavithra!
Pavithra
Sharmi the poondu kulambu superaa irunthuchu.. we all liked it. Thanks for sharing this recipe sharmi !!! Hope it tastes more the next day too.
Sharmilee! :)
@Pavithra : Was wondering whether it didnt turn out well as there was no feedback since mrg…now I can sleep happily 🙂 Sure it would taste even more better 2mrw
miri goes phishing!
i love the spiciness of the chettinad cuisine…this recipe looks like it is a keeper…:)
karkum
sharmi i tried this came out very good must stick to the quantity given orelse it becomes very spicy.no need of chilli powder.thanks 4 sharing this recepie.
Jayanthi
Goodness…it looks so tempting…..
Meena Kannan
gonna try it tomorrow…luks spicy n tempting sharmi!…thnx for sharing so that i planned to cook this for tomorrow's lunch menu…
Anonymous
Hi Sharmi,
Love your site..
I have a question about the tamarind measure. Can this be replaced by a measure of tamarind concentrate? If so, how much tamarind concentrate would equal to 1 lemon sized ball?
Thanks in advance,
Regards
Sharmilee! :)
@Anonymous : Yes you can do it by measuring 3/4 – cup of tamarind concetrate(am assuming that the concentrate you are mentioning will not be very thick and pulpy)
Shruti Ajay
Hi Sharmi!!
I tried it today.. it came out to be real great!! My husband said it tastes more good than hotel kuzhambu!
Also, I added tamarind concentrate which is thick and pulpy. I added 2 tsps of tamarind concentrate plus 2/3 rd cup water when boiling with ground paste.
Thanks for posting this recepie.
Sharmilee! :)
@Shruti Ajay : Thats really great to hear….am glad that you all liked it!
Anonymous
Hai sharmi,
Great recipe, loved it…"woww" its fabulous!!
kalpana
Chitra
Hi Sharmi
I tried this kulambu.It was awesome. You have a beautiful site with interesting recipes.
Suba
Tried this recipe sharmi., it became instant hit… 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing the recipe with us!
Anonymous
Hello Sharmi,
I have become fan of yours. Its wonderful to look at your blog specially the step by step instructions and beautiful photography. By look of it people can understand so easily. Simply great keep going. Great job!!!
Raji
Hi sharmi akka …
I recently came to know about ur blog.. I tried it today and its awesome… Thanks alot for sharing.. It was like my moms preparation.. but i never knew i can prepare so well 🙂 Thanks A lot once again
Sharmilee! :)
@Raji : Glad to hear that,keep visiting !! 🙂
Shama Nagarajan
super delicious dear..we love this
arul
HI Just tried 🙂
really good.. thanks
Arul.g
nivi
Hi .. i tried it out .. and it came out delicious 🙂 well written…
Anu Sasidharan
It came out very well, my hubby loved it!!! Thanks for the wonderful recipie
Sharma
nice recipe. thanks 🙂
Dhivya..:)
I did this for a party…oh god,it's really yummy…everyone appreciated me…it goes to you only Sharmi…Thanks a lot for this wonderful receipe..Gonna try some other receipe from yours..Keep going .
kalyani
Just had this for lunch:) superb:)thanks a lot:) shoul I need to refrigerate for next days use?
Sharmilee! :)
Yes refrigerate it..
Janani Ganesan
Hi, the dish turned out lovely. I have a very critical dad when it comes to cooking. He only had to smell it to like it. This is the first time I used ground masala paste for the curry, and I have to say, I am in love with my own cooking. Thanks for such a detailed recipe that could not go wrong.
ameen-83
hi Ms.Sharmi,
i m n dubai.i tried both of paruppu urundai and poondu kuzambu.
all my frnds was stunned by the taste.really appreciates ur interest for posting such great recipes in simply manner.
Unknown
Ohh I made this today, It was so delicious, as I wanted it to be. It was tangy, sweet and spicy. I had it with uppuma. It was a good meal as I'm craving for something sour, saviour for my pregnancy.
Pavithra
Hi Sharmi,
Thanks so much! This came out well.
Sindhu Ja
Hi Akka,am Sindhu one of your follower of your recipe's, I learned a lot about cooking from your site only.I tried out many recipes from your site, Today I tried out this columbu It came out very well and My family also liked the taste of it.Thank you for providing such a good recipes in your site akka.I dono anything about cooking but I love to cook and your site helped and teaches me a lot to make many dishes.
DDD
Hai Sharmilee, I tried this poondu kuzhambu and it came out yummy 😋 thank you 😊