🍛 Kadala Curry Recipe (Kerala Style Black Chickpea Curry)
Kadala Curry is a classic Kerala dish made with black chickpeas (kala chana), coconut, and aromatic spices. It pairs perfectly with puttu, appam, dosa, or rice.
🥣 Ingredients
Main:
1 cup black chickpeas (kala chana)
1 onion (finely chopped)
1 tomato (chopped)
1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
2 tbsp coconut oil
Salt to taste
Spices:
1 tsp chilli powder
½ tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp coriander powder
½ tsp garam masala
🥥 Coconut Masala (Key Step)
½ cup grated coconut
1 tsp fennel seeds
3–4 dry red chillies
👉 Roast coconut until golden brown, then grind with fennel and red chillies into a smooth paste.
🍲 Preparation Method
1. Soak & Cook Chickpeas
Soak black chickpeas overnight.
Pressure cook with salt until soft (about 5–6 whistles).
2. Prepare the Base
Heat the coconut oil in a pan.
Add chopped onions and sauté until golden.
Add ginger-garlic paste and cook well.
Add tomatoes and cook until soft.
3. Add Spices
Add turmeric, chilli powder, coriander powder, and salt.
Cook until the oil separates.
4. Combine Everything
Add cooked chickpeas along with some cooking water.
Add the roasted coconut paste.
Mix well and simmer for 10–12 minutes.
5. Final Touch
Sprinkle garam masala.
Add curry leaves for aroma.
Drizzle a little coconut oil on top for authentic Kerala flavour.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Serve hot with:
Puttu (most traditional combo)
Appam
Dosa
Steamed rice
💡 Tips for Perfect Taste
Roasting coconut well gives the authentic dark colour and rich flavour
Use coconut oil for Kerala-style aroma
Slightly thick gravy tastes best with puttu
Let it rest for a few hours—the taste improves!
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