🍛 Kerala-Style Kadala (Kala Chana) Curry
The comfort curry that reminds me of sleepy Sunday mornings and the magic of mom’s kitchen.
Kadala Curry was a Sunday favorite in our home. I still remember waking up to the smell of puttu, kadala curry, and spices blending beautifully from the kitchen. Mom would serve it piping hot with soft puttu, and that combination was pure comfort. It was the kind of meal that made us slow down and savor every bite.
Even today, making this dish brings back a wave of childhood warmth. Here’s my mom’s recipe — simple, soulful, and so satisfying.
🧄 Ingredients
For the Curry:
- 1 cup black chickpeas (kala chana) – soaked overnight
- 1 medium onion – sliced
- 1 medium tomato – chopped
- 2–3 green chilies – slit
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- ½ tsp red chili powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- Salt – to taste
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- ½ tsp fennel seeds (saunf)
🔥 Instructions:
1. Pressure Cook the Chickpeas
- Soak the black chickpeas overnight.
- Pressure cook with water and salt (about 3 to 5 whistles or until soft). Set aside.
2. Make the Paste
- In a pan, lightly roast sliced onion and chopped tomato.
- Add fennel seeds, then switch off the gas.
- Add red chili powder, coriander powder, and garam masala.
- Let it cool. Then grind into a smooth paste along with 8–10 cooked chickpeas and a little water.
3. Prepare the Base Curry
- Heat coconut oil in a pan.
- Sauté the ground paste.
- Add green chilies.
- Cook until aromatic and the raw smell disappears.
4. Combine Everything
- Add the cooked chickpeas along with their cooking water.
- Add salt.
- Mix well and let the curry simmer for 10–15 minutes until thick and flavorful.
5. Serve Hot
- Serve with puttu, appam, dosa, or even steamed rice. It’s comfort food at its finest.
💡 Tip:
If you want extra creaminess, add a splash of coconut milk at the end.
Garnish with fresh curry leaves and a swirl of coconut oil for that final Kerala touch!
This is more than just a curry — it’s a little bowl of nostalgia. I hope it brings the same joy to your plate as it brings to mine 💛