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Kongu Thakkali Kuzhambu – Kulambu – Coimbatore Style Tomato Kurma

March 17, 2015 by Suguna Vinodh 39 Comments

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kongu-tomato-kuzhambu-coimbatore-style-kongunadu

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.

kongu-tomato-kuzhambu-coimbatore-style-kongunadu-recipe-tomato

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.

kongu-tomato-kuzhambu-coimbatore-style-kongunadu-recipe-spice masala

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.

kongu-tomato-kuzhambu-coimbatore-style-kongunadu-recipe-onion

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.

kongu-tomato-kuzhambu-coimbatore-style-kongunadu-recipe-tomato-salt

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.

kongu-tomato-kuzhambu-coimbatore-style-kongunadu-recipe-coconut

Add in the fresh shredded coconut and fry for a minute.

kongu-tomato-kuzhambu-coimbatore-style-kongunadu-recipe-coconut-masala

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.

kongu-tomato-kuzhambu-coimbatore-style-kongunadu-recipe-grind

Heat oil in a pan and add in the curry leaves and fennel seeds. Add in the ground masala. It will be very thick.

kongu-tomato-kuzhambu-coimbatore-style-kongunadu-recipe-tadka

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.

kongu-tomato-kuzhambu-coimbatore-style-kongunadu-recipe-thin

After a couple of minutes add in the coriander leaves and remove the pan from heat. Thakkali Kuzhambu is ready.

kongu-tomato-kuzhambu-coimbatore-style-kongunadu-recipe-coriander-leaves

Serve Thakkali Kuzhambu hot with idli or dosa.

kongu-tomato-kuzhambu-kongunadu-recipe

Here is a printable Thakkali Kuzhambu recipe.

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kongu-tomato-kuzhambu-coimbatore-style-kongunadu-recipe

Kongu Thakkali Kuzhambu – Coimbatore Style Tomato Kurma


★★★★★

4.9 from 18 reviews

  • Author: Kannamma - Suguna Vinodh
  • Total Time: 45 mins
  • Yield: 4
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Description

Kongu Thakkali Kuzhambu – Tamil style tomato kurma recipe for idli, dosa with coconut. Popular in Coimbatore.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Spice Mixture

  • 2 sprigs curry leaves
  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 2 dried red chilli
  • 1 teaspoon whole black pepper
  • 2 tablespoon fried gram (pottu kadalai)

For the curry

  • 2 tablespoon Oil
  • 2 onions
  • 6 very ripe tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • a small candy size tamarind
  • 1/2 cup fresh shredded coconut

For Tempering

  • 1 teaspoon Oil
  • 1 sprig curry leaves
  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 5 stalks coriander leaves

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Add in the fresh shredded coconut and fry for a minute.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. After a couple of minutes add in the coriander leaves and remove the pan from heat.
  7. Serve hot with idli or dosa.

Notes

Measurements used – 1 cup = 250 ml
Its traditional to use indian sesame oil, also called as gingely oil in this recipe. Peanut oil works equally good.

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 25 mins
  • Category: Gravy
  • Cuisine: South Indian

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Suguna Vinodh

I'm Suguna Vinodh aka Kannamma. I love south Indian food and I am passionate about baking. My Favorite things include my Wusthof knife, Coffee, Ilayaraja, Tamil and beaches. I love Jacques Pepin and Julia Child.

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Comments

  1. kumbakonam filter coffee. says

    August 17, 2021 at 10:40 pm

    Nice!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  2. Indhu says

    June 3, 2020 at 11:27 pm

    Superb Sis. Whenever I need this tomato kulambu, will see you recipe.

    I am also from cbe.

    Loved it
    If you have YouTube channel, pls mention

    Reply
    • Suguna Vinodh says

      June 4, 2020 at 12:24 am

      https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl4VjviMtOUA-w3hy3qB4hQ

      Reply
  3. SRINANDHINI says

    March 20, 2020 at 4:03 am

    Hi kannamma 😍 sis is t must to add tamarind for tis , bcz I hv used country tomatoes (naatu) so it’s very tangy.??
    Love the way u explore COIMBATORE recipe! Ur Perrur athama’s special mutton curry came out very well 👌👏 my daughter loved it and every week she is in need of it for idli .. yummy 🙏

    Reply
    • Suguna Vinodh says

      March 21, 2020 at 4:58 pm

      You can omit the tamarind if using sout tomatoes.

      Reply
  4. SRINANDHINI says

    March 20, 2020 at 4:01 am

    Hi kannamma 😍 sis is t must to add tamarind for tis , bcz I hv used country tomatoes (naatu) so it’s very tangy.??
    Love the way u explore COIMBATORE recipe! Ur Perry athama’s special mutton curry came out very well 👌👏 my daughter loved it and every week she is in need of it for idli .. yummy 🙏

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  5. Shalini says

    March 24, 2019 at 11:44 am

    I am making this for the third time in last 2 weeks. My daughter loves this kulambu. Thank you so much.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Suguna Vinodh says

      March 24, 2019 at 2:59 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  6. Srividya says

    March 13, 2019 at 10:16 pm

    Hi 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.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Suguna Vinodh says

      March 14, 2019 at 3:09 am

      Hi Srividya, I will post one soon. Thanks and I am really glad that you like the recipes.
      Happy Cooking!

      Reply
  7. Rajeswari Kuppusamy says

    October 14, 2018 at 8:40 am

    I was searching for this recipe for long time. Thanks a lot. This is my favourite side dish for idli.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  8. Brindhavi says

    October 12, 2018 at 3:08 am

    Actually, 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😀

    ★★★★

    Reply
    • Suguna Vinodh says

      October 16, 2018 at 1:30 pm

      Thank you so much. Really glad that you liked the recipe.

      Reply
  9. Ashwini says

    October 4, 2018 at 12:16 am

    First 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

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  10. Sripriya Yezhil says

    June 1, 2018 at 4:36 pm

    இன்னிக்கு தான் இந்த கொழம்பு செஞ்சி பாத்தேன்.ரொம்ப நல்லா இருக்கு.நீங்க அருமையா சமைக்கறீங்க.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Suguna Vinodh says

      June 3, 2018 at 2:57 am

      Thank you! Glad you liked it!

      Reply
  11. Mahima Prabhu says

    May 31, 2018 at 6:03 pm

    Hi…I love your recipe ..it’s look yummy..I’m gonna to try…I tell you the result soon…

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  12. Pradeep Rajkumar says

    March 28, 2017 at 3:00 pm

    This 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

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Suguna Vinodh says

      March 29, 2017 at 5:13 am

      Yup! Home food. Hope you liked it!

      Reply
  13. vishnu says

    January 24, 2017 at 1:25 am

    love your recipes.. simple and neat….

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Suguna Vinodh says

      January 24, 2017 at 4:01 pm

      Thanks Vishnu!

      Reply
    • Saranya says

      May 17, 2018 at 2:00 am

      the best can’t stop eating

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Suguna Vinodh says

        May 17, 2018 at 2:02 am

        Thank you so much. Really glad that you liked it!

        Reply
  14. tharangini says

    January 23, 2017 at 6:34 pm

    If we miss pottukadalai from this and do. It will be very good for rice also.We used to say as thakali aati kaachina kulambu.

    Reply
  15. Gayathri says

    December 3, 2016 at 9:37 pm

    Thanks 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

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Suguna Vinodh says

      December 3, 2016 at 10:11 pm

      Thank you so much Gayathri! Happy Cooking! Practice makes anyone do anything. Keep cooking!

      Reply
  16. Amudha says

    June 17, 2016 at 10:51 pm

    Hi
    Is there any alternative for coconut which can be used for this receipe.

    Reply
    • Suguna Vinodh says

      June 17, 2016 at 11:17 pm

      This 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.

      Reply
  17. Keerthana says

    May 11, 2016 at 9:30 pm

    Today 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

    Reply
    • Suguna Vinodh says

      May 11, 2016 at 9:42 pm

      Thank you Keerthana. Very glad you liked the recipe.

      Reply
  18. Mrs Shashi says

    May 6, 2016 at 2:09 pm

    Hi 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.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Suguna Vinodh says

      May 6, 2016 at 3:13 pm

      Thank you so much Mrs. Shashi! It means a lot to me.

      Reply
  19. Vignesh says

    April 27, 2016 at 2:13 am

    Such an awesome dish.. I was mind blown by the taste of it.. Thank you so much

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Suguna Vinodh says

      April 27, 2016 at 9:21 am

      Thank you Vignesh!

      Reply
  20. Thamizhan says

    December 2, 2015 at 11:05 pm

    Loved it 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Suguna Vinodh says

      December 3, 2015 at 12:51 am

      Thank You!

      Reply
  21. Rama says

    October 27, 2015 at 8:21 am

    Attahasam, love it

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Suguna Vinodh says

      October 27, 2015 at 12:00 pm

      Thank you Rama!

      Reply
  22. vinod says

    October 1, 2015 at 12:24 am

    good and sweet dish

    ★★★★★

    Reply

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I’m Suguna, a former financial analyst, now a full-time food blogger. Welcome to my space. I share recipes gathered from my friends and family here. I am passionate about South Indian food. I crazy love knives. A sharp knife is a girls best friend. Hope you like the recipes here. Happy Cooking. Read more.....

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