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Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Kadala (Chickpeas) curry

Kadala curry is one of my favourite breakfast accompaniments. Hot, steamed puttu or lacy aapam served with some spicy kadala curry is my idea of a perfect breakfast. Despite the fact that both my husband and mother tell me in no uncertain terms that puttu tastes like mud, they are quite fond of kadala curry. Kadala curry is nothing but brown chickpeas cooked and then simmered in a gravy of spices, onions, tomatoes and coconut.

What you need:
Brown chickpeas - 1 cup, soaked overnight and cooked
Onion - 1 large, chopped into large chunks or a handful of shallots, peeled
Tomato - 3, juicy ripe ones, chopped into big pieces
Ginger - a small piece
Red chilli - 3 (adjust to taste)
Corriander seeds - 1 tbsp
Cardamom - 3 pods
Grated fresh coconut - 1/4 cup.
Coconut oil - 4 or 5 tsp
Salt
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp

Heat oil in a pan. Fry the red chillies, cardamom and corriander seeds. When they are nicely browned, add in the ginger and chopped onions and fry until translucent. Now add the grated coconut and heat till it turns reddish brown. Stir in the chopped tomatoes and fry until they soften. Once this cools, add salt and grind to a smooth paste adding water as needed.
Heat a tsp of oil in the pan. Add a tsp of mustard seeds and a handful of curry leaves. Once the seeds pop, transfer the ground mixture back to the pan, add the cooked chickpeas(along with the water in which it was cooked) and some turmeric powder and let it boil for about 8-10 minutes.

I like the curry to be slightly thick, which is why I boil it for so long. Most people make it quite watery and if that's how you prefer it, just heat it for a few minutes so that the chickpeas absorb the flavour of the spices and then serve.

Do remember to send me your entries for MEC-Celebrating bloggers before the 31st of the month.

8 comments:

Unknown said...

yes,,,this really tastes so good with puttu and appam...looks yumm

jayasree said...

Kadala curry looks yummmy. When I make it for puttu, it will be watery and for aapam , thick.

Deepti said...

Gr8 combo with Puttu..One of my favorites too !!

FewMinute Wonders said...

Jayashree, I have not had this one ever since Kavitha, my friend went back to India in 2007. Thanks for posting this one.I like it so much.

Renu said...

jayshree what is puttu? please write the receipe of making it, as I see puttu flour sold everywhere.

SathyaSridhar said...

Kadala Curry looks yummyy,,its good sides for aappam,,, good for the health too,,thanks for sharing dear,,, take care n keep smiling

sra said...

don't think i've seen one this thick, i quite like this curry.

PranisKitchen said...

kadala curry looks so delicious..one of the best combination with chapati and Puttu(steamed rice cake).
First time to ur blog have a good collection of recipes yarr..following you
If u get a chance do visit my blog http://pranithworld.blogspot.com/