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    Pottukadalai kuzhambu | Pottukadalai kulambu

    November 12, 2025 By Vidya Srinivasan Leave a Comment

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    Pottukadalai Kuzhambu, also known as Pottukadalai Kulambu, is a traditional South Indian curry made with roasted gram (pottukadalai), tamarind, and aromatic spices. This comforting dish pairs beautifully with steamed rice and is loved for its tangy, nutty flavor. Easy to prepare and wholesome, it’s a perfect choice for everyday meals or festive occasions.

    WHAT IS TIFFIN  SAMBAR | Besan Sambar?

    Sambar is one of the most popular traditional South Indian dishes.  No dal, no tamarind sambar.

    WHAT TASTES BEST WITH pottukadala SAMBHAR?

    Sambhar plays a key role in South Indian cuisine.  This particular Kadai-style thanni sambar is a tasty side dish for South Indian dishes like Idli, Dosa, Pongal, and poori. It also tastes good with rice.

    HOW MUCH WATER SHOULD I ADD to Thanni Sambhar?

    It depends on your preferred sambar consistency because of pottukadalai sambar thickens over time. Add water accordingly.

     

    CAN I REDUCE TOMATOES?

    Tomatoes give a good taste to the hotel tiffin sambar, so prefer adding more tomatoes.  I prefer this sambar without tamarind. If you prefer adding tamarind, reduce the tomatoes accordingly.

    SHOULD I use THE GHEE for TEMPERING?

    I generally use oil for tempering a. In our home, we prefer adding ghee while eating Pongal, etc.  You can use ghee according to your choice

    WHAT SHOULD BE THE CONSISTENCY OF THE SAMBHAR?

    I prefer watery tiffin sambar. If you prefer thick sambar, adjust the water accordingly

    Coconut for tiffin sambar

    Yes, you can absolutely skip coconut in Pottukadalai Sambar (or Kuzhambu). Coconut is often added for extra creaminess and flavor, but it’s not mandatory.

    KUZHAMBU RECIPES IN TMF

    TAMARIND-BASED RECIPES IN TMF

     

    • Temple style Sambar | Pumpkin sambar
    • Tiffin Sambar with moong dal | moong dal tiffin sambar
    • Hotel Style Sambar Sadam | hotel sambar sadham
    • Murungai keerai paruppu kuzhambu | Murungai keerai Sambar

    Other Sambar varieties in TMF

    Hotel-style recipes

    Ingredients

    1 tablespoon coconut oil

    1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds

    1/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds

    1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds

    1 1/2 cups chopped onions

    2 garlic cloves, crushed or finely chopped

    3 green chilies, slit

    1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes

    1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder

    1 heaped teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)

    1/2 teaspoon garam masala

    1 teaspoon sambar powder

    2 1/2 cups water (divided)

    A few coriander leaves

    A few curry leaves

    3 tablespoon pottukadalai | roasted gram

    1 1/2 tablespoon grated coconut

    1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds

    How to make pottukadalai kuzhambu with step-by-step pictures

    •  Heat the coconut oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, and cumin seeds. Let them splutter.

    •  Add chopped onions and crushed garlic. Sauté until translucent.

    •  Add green chilies, chopped tomatoes, salt, turmeric powder, sambar powder, and garam masala. Cook until the tomatoes turn soft and mushy.

    •  Pour in 1 cup of water and bring to a boil.

    •  Grind pottukadalai into a fine powder using a mixer.

    •  Add grated coconut and fennel seeds to the powder. Grind again to make a smooth paste.

    •  Add 1/2 cup of water to the paste, grind once more, and transfer the mixture to the pan.
    •  Add the remaining 1 cup of water, mix well, and bring the kuzhambu to a rolling boil.

    •  Finally, add curry leaves and chopped coriander leaves. Simmer for a few minutes and turn off the heat.

    pottukadalai kuzhambu

    pottukadalai kulambu
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    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
    • 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
    • 1/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
    • 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
    • 1 1/2 cups chopped onions
    • 2 garlic cloves crushed or finely chopped
    • 3 green chilies slit
    • 1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes
    • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
    • 1 heaped teaspoon salt adjust to taste
    • 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
    • 1 teaspoon sambar powder
    • 2 1/2 cups water divided
    • A few coriander leaves
    • A few curry leaves
    • 3 tablespoon pottukadalai | roasted gram
    • 1 1/2 tablespoon grated coconut
    • 1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds

    Instructions

    • Heat the coconut oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, and cumin seeds. Let them splutter.
    • Add chopped onions and crushed garlic. Sauté until translucent.
    • Add green chilies, chopped tomatoes, salt, turmeric powder, sambar powder, and garam masala. Cook until the tomatoes turn soft and mushy.
    • Pour in 1 cup of water and bring to a boil.
    • Grind pottukadalai into a fine powder using a mixer.
    • Add grated coconut and fennel seeds to the powder. Grind again to make a smooth paste.
    • Add 1/2 cup of water to the paste, grind once more, and transfer the mixture to the pan.
    • Add the remaining 1 cup of water, mix well, and bring the kuzhambu to a rolling boil.
    • Finally, add curry leaves and chopped coriander leaves. Simmer for a few minutes and turn off the heat.

    Video

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