Poondu Kulambu is a spicy & flavourful gravy made by cooking garlic, tomato, onion with tempered & ground spices. Poondu Kulambu is an excellent choice when we run out of veggies & perfect to have with rice, idli & dosa. Poondu Kulambu Recipe is explained in this post with step by step pictures.
I’ve tried puli kuzhambu from many sources….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 chettinad style recipe which I learnt from a cookery show named ‘Anjarai Petti’ in Zee tamil channel. I made few changes and came up with this below recipe. It tastes best the next day with idly or dosa…..Pairs well with hot steamed rice too.
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📖 Recipe
Poondu Kulambu | Poondu Kuzhambu
Poondu Kulambu is a spicy & flavourful gravy made by cooking garlic, tomato, onion with tempered & ground spices. Poondu Kulambu is an excellent choice when we run out of veggies & perfect to have with rice, idli & dosa. Poondu Kuzhambu Recipe is explained in this post with step by step pictures.
Servings2 people
Ingredients
- 10 to 12 cloves garlic
- 5 to 6 small onion halved
- 1/2 tomato finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
- 1/2 tsp fenugreek seeds
- 1 red chillies
- few curry leaves
- lemon sized ball tamarind
- a generous pinch turmeric powder
- 1/4 tsp chilli powder
- 1/2 tsp sambar powder
- a pinch hing
- 1.5 tbsp oil
- 1/2 tbsp heaped jaggery powder optional
- salt as required
To roast & grind to a fine paste:
- 1/2 tsp jeera
- 1/2 tsp pepper corns
- 1/2 tsp coriander seeds
- 1/2 tbsp chana dal optional
- few curry leaves
- 3 small onion
- 3 to 4 cloves garlic
- 1 red chillies
- 1/2 tomato
Instructions
- Add a tsp of oil and roast the ingredients in the same order given under : To roast and grind section.
- Allow it to cool and grind it with little water to form a thick paste and keep aside.
- Soak tamarind in warm water, leave it for 10mins.
- Then extract tamarind water and keep aside.
- Now heat the remaining oil in a wide kadai, add mustard seeds, let it splutter.
- Add curry leaves, red chilli, fenugreek seeds saute for 2mins.
- Add garlic and shallots, saute till garlic, onion turns lightly browned.
- Now add chopped tomato fry well till its slightly mushy and raw smell goes off.
- Add the extracted tamarind water to the curry and mix well.
- Now add the ground paste and allow it to boil till raw smell leaves.
- When the curry thickens add half cup water and allow it to boil for 3mins.
- Add hing, turmeric, chilli, sambar powder and required salt. Mix well and simmer it.
- Add jaggery,allow it to boil till it becomes a thick curry.
- It may take around 10-15mins to thicken…depends on how watery is ur kuzhambu.
- When oil starts seperating the perfect stage is reached.
- Switch off and serve Poondu Kulambu with hot steamed rice.
Notes
- You can omit jaggery if you do not like sweet taste in your curry but the show recommended to add it and we loved it as the tangy spicy taste compliments well with the sweetness.
- You can also add veggies like brinjal and bhindis with garlic. Just saute the veggies like we do for garlic and onion and follow the same procedure.
- The red chillies can be adjusted as per your spice level adjust chilli powder accordingly.
Nutrition Facts
Poondu Kulambu | Poondu Kuzhambu
Amount Per Serving (75 g)
Calories 286
Calories from Fat 108
% Daily Value*
Fat 12g18%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Trans Fat 0.04g
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
Monounsaturated Fat 7g
Sodium 995mg43%
Potassium 697mg20%
Carbohydrates 42g14%
Fiber 7g29%
Sugar 18g20%
Protein 6g12%
Vitamin A 1419IU28%
Vitamin C 289mg350%
Calcium 167mg17%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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How to make Poondu Kulambu
- Add a tsp of oil and roast the ingredients in the same order given under : To roast and grind section.Allow it to cool and grind it with little water to form a thick paste and keep aside. Soak tamarind in warm water, leave it for 10mins.Then extract tamarind water and keep aside.
- Now heat the remaining oil in a wide kadai, add mustard seeds, let it splutter. Then add curry leaves, red chilli, fenugreek seeds saute for 2mins.Then add garlic and shallots, saute till garlic, onion turns lightly browned. Now add chopped tomato fry well till its slightly mushy and raw smell goes off. Then add the extracted tamarind water to the curry and mix well.
- Now add the ground paste and allow it to boil till raw smell leaves. When the curry thickens add half cup water and allow it to boil for 3mins.
- Add hing, turmeric, chilli, sambar powder and required salt. Mix well and simmer it. Add jaggery,allow it to boil till it becomes a thick curry. It may take around 10-15mins to thicken…depends on how watery is ur kuzhambu. When oil starts seperating the perfect stage is reached.Switch off and serve with hot steamed rice.
I luv garlic in any form, so this kuzhambu is obviously my fav. The spicy and tangy taste with a dash of sweetness is perfect for rice / idlies or even dosas. This keeps well for 3-4 days.I usually use this as the base for any pulikuzhambu either bhindis or brinjals and it comes out very well.
Experrt Tips
- You can omit jaggery if you dont like sweet taste in ur curry but the show recommended to add it and we luved it as the tangy spicy taste compliments well with the sweetness.
- You can also add veggies like brinjal and bhindis with garlic. Just saute the veggies like we do for garlic and onion and follow the same procedure.
- The red chillies can be adjusted as per ur spice level adjust chilli powder accordingly.
Satrupa
Lovely Clicks Sharmi ….. The kadhai is too cute n the recipe looks nice. Quite new to me though !
Cheers n Happy Cooking,
Satrupa
http://satrupa-foodforthought.blogspot.com
Roshan
spicy, tangy and looks very gorgeous!!
Mahimaa's kitchen
love poondu kozhambu! looks very tempting.
Dr.Sameena Prathap
Hi Sharmilee!
nice kulambu…looks rich…
Dr.Sameena@
http://www.myeasytocookrecipes.blogspot.com
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…
Jay
ohhhhh such a mouthwatery click to eyes…very colorful n nicely done dear…
Tasty Appetite
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…
Hamaree Rasoi
Spicy , tangy recipe for Garlic lovers like me…
Looks very tempting
Deepa
Hamaree Rasoi
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.
Satya
kuzhambu looks wonderful ..once i had at my friends place ,it really tastes awesome …thanks for sharing ..i will try this soon
Satya
http://www.superyummyrecipes.com
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..
aipi
Totally new..looks spicy, tangy n mouthwatering..yum yum!!
US Masala
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 …….
NIDHYA
Looks spicy and mouthwatering kuzhmbu. I also make it the same way but without jaggery..even more tastier the next day..
http://aaha-oho.blogspot.com/
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 😊