Kongu Thakkali Kuzhambu – Kulambu – Coimbatore Style Tomato Kurma
Kongu Thakkali Kuzhambu – Tamil style tomato kurma recipe for idli, dosa with coconut. Popular in Coimbatore. With step by step pictures.
Kongu Thakkali Kuzhambu – This is an amazing kurma for idli and dosa and is very popular in the kongu region of Tamilnadu. Thakkali Kuzhambu is an absolute favorite and every family in Coimbatore has a version of this curry in their repertoire. Juicy ripe tomatoes and coconut are the star of this dish. The spice that elevates it up is the fennel seeds. Its mild. There is a saying about tomato. “Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it into a fruit salad.” Thakkali Kuzhambu goes well with idli and dosa. This is how we do Kongu Thakkali Kuzhambu – Coimbatore Style Tomato Curry at our home.
We need really juicy and ripe tomatoes for Thakkali Kuzhambu.
The spices are fried in oil along with onions and tomatoes and ground to a paste. We would need the following spices for our Kongu Thakkali Kuzhambu – Coimbatore Style Tomato Curry.
Heat oil in a pan and add in all the spices shown on the above spice plate at once. Fry for a couple of minutes on low flame. Increase the flame to medium and add in the roughly chopped onions and fry till slightly brown. About 4-5 minutes.
Once the onions are brown, add in the tomatoes, turmeric, salt and a small piece of tamarind. Fry for a good 8-10 minutes until the tomatoes are almost dry.
Its time for coconut. Coconut gives this curry that rich smooth feel in the mouth and also gives body to the curry and makes it thick. Adding coconut in cooking is actually good for you. Never listen to someone who says otherwise. Read my recipe for south indian coconut chutney to know why.
Add in the fresh shredded coconut and fry for a minute.
Remove off heat and let it cool slightly. When cool enough to handle, grind the mixture to a very smooth paste. Add up-to 2 cups of water while grinding.
Heat oil in a pan and add in the curry leaves and fennel seeds. Add in the ground masala. It will be very thick.
Add in some water to the blender (upto 1.5 cups) and add it back to the pan so the thick masala sticking in the blender doesn’t get wasted. Let it simmer for a minute. The Thakkali Kuzhambu masala is already well cooked. So a brief simmer is enough.
After a couple of minutes add in the coriander leaves and remove the pan from heat. Thakkali Kuzhambu is ready.
Serve Thakkali Kuzhambu hot with idli or dosa.
Here is a printable Thakkali Kuzhambu recipe.
- 2 sprigs curry leaves
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1½ teaspoon coriander seeds
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 2 dried red chilli
- 1 teaspoon whole black pepper
- 2 tablespoon fried gram (pottu kadalai)
- 2 tablespoon Oil
- 2 onions
- 6 very ripe tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon salt
- a small candy size tamarind
- ½ cup fresh shredded coconut
- 1 teaspoon Oil
- 1 sprig curry leaves
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 5 stalks coriander leaves
- Heat oil in a pan and add in all the spices at once. Fry for a couple of minutes on low flame. Increase the flame to medium and add in the roughly chopped onions and fry till slightly brown. About 4-5 minutes.
- Once the onions are brown, add in the tomatoes, turmeric, salt and a small piece of tamarind. Fry for a good 8-10 minutes until the tomatoes are almost dry.
- Add in the fresh shredded coconut and fry for a minute.
- Remove off heat and let it cool slightly. When cool enough to handle grind the mixture to a very smooth paste. Add up-to 2 cups of water while grinding.
- Heat oil in a pan and add in the curry leaves and fennel seeds. Add in the ground masala and water. Let it simmer for a minute.
- After a couple of minutes add in the coriander leaves and remove the pan from heat.
- Serve hot with idli or dosa.
Its traditional to use indian sesame oil, also called as gingely oil in this recipe. Peanut oil works equally good.
Shalini says
March 24, 2019 at 11:44 amI am making this for the third time in last 2 weeks. My daughter loves this kulambu. Thank you so much.
Suguna Vinodh says
March 24, 2019 at 2:59 pmThank you!
Srividya says
March 13, 2019 at 10:16 pmHi kannamma,
I am a regular visitor of your website. I have tried many of your recipes. They are fantastic and liked by all the family members. Hats off to you for such a great work. There are a million cookery websites but yours stand out because of its authenticity.
Can you please post the recipe for south Indian style chana masala? The one served with poori in restaurants like saravana bhavan. Thank you again for the great work.
Suguna Vinodh says
March 14, 2019 at 3:09 amHi Srividya, I will post one soon. Thanks and I am really glad that you like the recipes.
Happy Cooking!
Rajeswari Kuppusamy says
October 14, 2018 at 8:40 amI was searching for this recipe for long time. Thanks a lot. This is my favourite side dish for idli.
Brindhavi says
October 12, 2018 at 3:08 amActually, yesterday night I felt like eating tomato kuzhambu that my mom prepares. Fortunately, when I googled for tomato Kuzhambu, I noticed Kongu thakkali Kuzhambu in Kammaacooks blog.I tried following your tips.It is really yummy!! Thank you so much for making it easier for me Kannamma.
I am planning to follow your blog very often to cook daily😀
Suguna Vinodh says
October 16, 2018 at 1:30 pmThank you so much. Really glad that you liked the recipe.
Ashwini says
October 4, 2018 at 12:16 amFirst time Today I tried this recipe,really very very tasty…flavours are good..but little tangy flavour..I add 3 red chilli today. It was not enough spicy for us
Sripriya Yezhil says
June 1, 2018 at 4:36 pmஇன்னிக்கு தான் இந்த கொழம்பு செஞ்சி பாத்தேன்.ரொம்ப நல்லா இருக்கு.நீங்க அருமையா சமைக்கறீங்க.
Suguna Vinodh says
June 3, 2018 at 2:57 amThank you! Glad you liked it!
Mahima Prabhu says
May 31, 2018 at 6:03 pmHi…I love your recipe ..it’s look yummy..I’m gonna to try…I tell you the result soon…
Pradeep Rajkumar says
March 28, 2017 at 3:00 pmThis one is coooked regulary
Aracha THAKKALI KOZHAMBHU in Mahalingapuram, Pollachi home…
I am home sick…
Excellent with RICE & ginger pickles, Any kind of DOSA and appam and IDLIS
Suguna Vinodh says
March 29, 2017 at 5:13 amYup! Home food. Hope you liked it!
vishnu says
January 24, 2017 at 1:25 amlove your recipes.. simple and neat….
Suguna Vinodh says
January 24, 2017 at 4:01 pmThanks Vishnu!
Saranya says
May 17, 2018 at 2:00 amthe best can’t stop eating
Suguna Vinodh says
May 17, 2018 at 2:02 amThank you so much. Really glad that you liked it!
tharangini says
January 23, 2017 at 6:34 pmIf we miss pottukadalai from this and do. It will be very good for rice also.We used to say as thakali aati kaachina kulambu.
Gayathri says
December 3, 2016 at 9:37 pmThanks for wonderful recipes Ur making. Iam very weak in cooking …but iam learning with the help of Ur website thanks a lot. My daughter like variety dishes. Everyday when she come home she ask me what u have done…but iam prepared now with the help of Ur dishes.thanks a lot mam
Suguna Vinodh says
December 3, 2016 at 10:11 pmThank you so much Gayathri! Happy Cooking! Practice makes anyone do anything. Keep cooking!
Amudha says
June 17, 2016 at 10:51 pmHi
Is there any alternative for coconut which can be used for this receipe.
Suguna Vinodh says
June 17, 2016 at 11:17 pmThis is a very traditional recipe and I have never substituted anything other than coconut. You can try with almonds but I am not sure about the texture.
Keerthana says
May 11, 2016 at 9:30 pmToday I tried this recipe,really very very tasty…thank u for posting this recipe… My hubby liked it very much.. Step by step picture make it clear to understand
Suguna Vinodh says
May 11, 2016 at 9:42 pmThank you Keerthana. Very glad you liked the recipe.
Mrs Shashi says
May 6, 2016 at 2:09 pmHi Dear Suguna, I tried Pondicherry egg kurma, its amazing, tasted so well. I really loved it. You are such a good cook. Hats off to you. Everyday i am trying your dishes, my kids love it. Thanks for your amazing service.
Suguna Vinodh says
May 6, 2016 at 3:13 pmThank you so much Mrs. Shashi! It means a lot to me.
Vignesh says
April 27, 2016 at 2:13 amSuch an awesome dish.. I was mind blown by the taste of it.. Thank you so much
Suguna Vinodh says
April 27, 2016 at 9:21 amThank you Vignesh!
Thamizhan says
December 2, 2015 at 11:05 pmLoved it 🙂
Suguna Vinodh says
December 3, 2015 at 12:51 amThank You!
Rama says
October 27, 2015 at 8:21 amAttahasam, love it
Suguna Vinodh says
October 27, 2015 at 12:00 pmThank you Rama!
vinod says
October 1, 2015 at 12:24 amgood and sweet dish