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Paruppu Urundai Kuzhambu | Lentil Ball Tamarind Gravy

September 22, 2014 By Vidya Srinivasan 78 Comments

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Paruppu Urundai Kuzhambu | Urunda kara kuzhambu | Puli Kuzhambu with step by step pictures and video recipe. Check out the Urundai kara Kuzhambu in Tamil and Urundai kara kuzhambu in English.If you like the video pls SUBSCRIBE to my channel

Paruppu Urundai Kuzhambu

Paruppu Urundai Kuzhambu | Urunda kara kuzhambu | Puli Kuzhambu is a traditional South Indian kuzhambu. Lentil balls are cooked in tangy flavorful kuzhambu. Kara Kulambu is so tasty and filling.

Usually, I prefer quick recipes which demand fewer times in the kitchen, but there is certain food which is worth the extra effort spent. Paruppu Urundai Kuzhambu definitely takes a special place on that list. Soaking, grinding cooking lentils make sounds like a lengthy process but with little planning, Kara kuzhambu can be prepared within an hour.

Growing up Amma makes a version of Paruppu Urundai kuzhambu and Paruppu Urundai moor kuzhambu which doesn’t have onion ad garlic. It will a typical Tamil Brahmin style.

IMG_1705

I have mentioned about my neighbour aunt in TMF before. Vendakkai Kara kulambu and potato thokku some of my favorites from Aunty’s preparation. Once when my Amma was out of town aunty gave this kuzhambu for lunch. I literarily llicked the bowl😋😂

I got addicted to that taste. From that day onward whenever aunty prepares kuzhambu she sent me a box. Even during my last India trip aunty remembered it and came home with all my favorites.
Seeing the way I enjoys Paruppu Urundai Kuzhambu Amma learned the recipe from Aunty and started doing it on weekend. We prefer this kulambu for weekend lunch so that she will have enough time to cook also we can leisurely enjoy eating it.

Amma even wrote this Paruppu Urundai Kuzhambu recipe in her handwritten notebook for me. I refer it while cooking. Protien rich lentil balls make this kuzhambu so filling. There are many version of paruppu urundai Kuzhambu, with whole channa dal/ combination of channa dal and toor dal.  The tanginess from the tamarind makes this kuzhambu super yum. Moor kuzhambu can also be prepared with paruppu urundai.

For Paruppu Urundai Mor Kuzhambu 

Paruppu Urundai Kuzhambu

If you are interested for some tasty South Indian kuzhambu varieties in TMF,

Kuzhambu varieties  with tamarind

Kuzhambu varieties without tamarind 

Paruppu Urundai Kuzhambu

Paruppu Urundai Kuzhambu is traditional South Indian kuzhambu. Lentil balls are cooked in tangy flavorful kuzhambu. Kara Kulambu is so flavorful and filling.
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Kuzhambu
Cuisine: Indian
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 4
Author: Vidya Srinivasan

Ingredients

  • For lentil Balls:
  • Toor dal - 1/2 cup
  • Channa dal - 1/2 cup
  • Fennel Seeds - 1/4 tsp
  • Red Chilli - 2 Adjust according to your taste
  • Garlic - 2
  • kuzhmabu Gravy:
  • Onion - 1
  • Garlic - 4 pods finely chopped
  • Tomato - 1
  • Tamarind - 1 lemon sized ball
  • Coconut grated - 3 tbsp
  • Fennel seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Sambar powder/ chilli powder - 1 tbsp I used Sambar powder
  • Salt - to taste
  • To temper:
  • Sesame Oil - 3 tbsp
  • Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Fenugreek seed- 1/4 tsp

Instructions

  • Soak the dal and red chilli for 2 hours and strain the water. Add garlic, fennel seeds and little salt to the dal, and grind them into coarse mixture without adding water. Add onion and required salt to the mixture and combine well. Make marble sized balls out of it and keep aside.
  • Soak tamarind in 1 cup of luke warm water and keep aside for 5 - 10 minutes, and extract the juice
  • Add 2 tbsp of oil to the pan. When oil is hot add 'to temper' ingredients and let them splutter. Add garlic and onion and sauté till the onion is translucent. Add tomato and cook till becomes mushy
  • Add sambar powder and give a quick stir. Add the tamrind juice, 2 cup of water, salt and cook till the raw smell goes off
  • Gently add the Urundai (lentil balls)one by one. Lentil balls initially sink, but float after cooking
  • Grind the coconut with fennel seed and little water
  • Add little jaggery and 1 tbsp of oil to the Kuzhambu and Cook for 3-4 minutes and switch off
  •  Urundai kara Kuzhambu in Tamil 
     Urundai kara kuzhambu in English

Video

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Notes

  1. Avoid sauting the lentil balls till they are cooked, to prevent them from breaking
  2. Alternatively, you can steam cook lentil balls and add it to the kuzhambu
  3. Kuzhambu thickens overtime so adjust the water accordingly 
  4. Tamarind paste can be used instead of tamarind
  5. If you have many lentil balls, cook in batches. After one batch is cooked and floating, add remaining lentil balls and let it cook
  6. If you feel floating lentil balls top surface are bit dry, gently take Small amount Kuzhambu and put it over the lentil ball
Tried this recipe?Mention @traditionallymodernfood or tag #traditionallymodernfood!

Ingredients:

For lentil Balls:

Toor dal – 1/2 cup

Channa dal – 1/2 cup

Fennel Seeds – 1/4 tsp

Red Chilli – 2 (Adjust according to your taste)

Garlic – 2

kuzhmabu(Gravy):

Onion – 1

Garlic – 3 pods, finely chopped

Tomato – 1

Tamarind – 1 lemon sized ball

Coconut grated  – 3 tbsp

Fennel seeds – 1/4 tsp

Sambar powder/ chilli powder – 1 tbsp ( I used Sambar powder)

Salt – to taste

To temper:

Sesame Oil – 3 tbsp

Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp

Fenugreek seed- 1/4 tsp

Method:

  • Soak the dal and red chilli for 2 hours and strain the water. Add garlic,  fennel seeds and little salt  to the dal, and grind them into coarse mixture without adding water. Add onion and required salt to the mixture and combine well. Make marble sized balls out of it and keep aside.

IMG_9993IMG_9995IMG_9997

  • Soak tamarind in 1 cup of luke warm water and keep aside for 5 – 10 minutes, and extract the juice
  • Add 2 tbsp of oil to the pan. When oil is hot add ‘to temper’ ingredients and let them splutter. Add garlic and onion and sauté till the onion is translucent. Add tomato and cook till becomes mushy

IMG_9998

  • Add sambar powder and give a quick stir. Add the tamrind juice, 2 cup of water, salt  and cook till the raw smell goes off

IMG_0001

  • Gently  add the Urundai (lentil balls)one by one. Lentil balls initially sink, but float after cooking

IMG_0003

IMG_0004

  • Grind the coconut with fennel seed and little water
  • Add little jaggery and 1 tbsp of oil to the Kuzhambu and Cook for 3-4 minutes and switch off

Paruppu Urundai Kuzhambu

Filed Under: Kuzhambu | Kulambu, Tamarind based Kuzhambu varieties Tagged With: chettinad, chettinadu, home, How to, Indian, iyengar, kaara, kola, kulambu, kuzhambu, lunch, Make, nadu, paruppu, prepare, Recipe, rice, s, south, step by step, tamil, Tmf, urundai, variety, veg, vidya

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Comments

  1. Malar says

    September 22, 2014 at 22:57

    Absolutely fabulous post for Swayam… Love this kuzhambhu any time and one of my favorite 🙂 mine is a little different from your version, we don’t add channa dal and tomato gotta try your version soon Vidya…looks so yummy 🙂

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 22, 2014 at 23:38

      Thanku Malar:-)

      Reply
  2. srividhya says

    September 22, 2014 at 22:57

    Welcome back and my favorite 🙂

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 22, 2014 at 23:34

      Thanku Sri:-)

      Reply
  3. Aruna Panangipally says

    September 22, 2014 at 23:53

    I have been wanting to make this for a long long time and now I have the recipe!

    And welcome back. 🙂

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 23, 2014 at 09:23

      Thanku Aruna:-)

      Reply
  4. Ranjani says

    September 23, 2014 at 00:11

    Vidya.. so traditional and flavourful recipe.. But if we add the lentils directly, is the raw smell leaves? because my mom used to fry the balls in oil for this kuzhambhu.. will try this version for sure..

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 23, 2014 at 09:23

      Thanks Ranjini:-) Yes, lentil balls get cooked in tamrind water so won’t have raw flavour

      Reply
      • Ranjani says

        September 26, 2014 at 02:53

        thats great 🙂

        Reply
  5. Priya Shiva says

    September 23, 2014 at 00:15

    yummy kolumbu! one of my fav too 🙂 <3

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 23, 2014 at 09:15

      Thanks dear:-) mine as well

      Reply
  6. Madraasi says

    September 23, 2014 at 00:26

    Vacation got over?

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 23, 2014 at 09:15

      No vacation Deepa. Due to some personal commitment couldn’t be active for some days

      Reply
      • Madraasi says

        September 23, 2014 at 10:44

        oh! Have thinking of you, wondering why no post from you in my reader 🙂 Welcome back:)

        Reply
        • Traditionally Modern Food says

          September 23, 2014 at 22:24

          So sweet of u Deepa thanks:-)

          Reply
  7. kurinji says

    September 23, 2014 at 02:06

    mouthwatering kuzhambu…

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 23, 2014 at 09:14

      Thanku Kurinji:-)

      Reply
  8. Francesca Trucco says

    September 23, 2014 at 03:23

    Love this kuzhambhu …not sure I will be able to do them…but I will try. Francesca from Rome, Italy 🙂

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 23, 2014 at 09:14

      Happy that you like our traditional delicacy:-)Thanku

      Reply
      • Francesca Trucco says

        September 23, 2014 at 09:16

        🙂 i love your blog!!!

        Reply
        • Traditionally Modern Food says

          September 23, 2014 at 09:22

          Thanks dear:-)

          Reply
  9. Charanya says

    September 23, 2014 at 03:51

    Yum <3. I so want to come over. Apparently, Sanju's granny makes an awesome version of this. She explained the process for 30 mins and I was like 'It's tiring to listen to it'. I will feature her recipe when I go to India next year <3

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 23, 2014 at 09:13

      Thanks dear:-) I am waiting for your recipes. Granny’s recipes have a authentic touch I love it

      Reply
  10. Charanya says

    September 23, 2014 at 03:56

    And BTW, missed you here. Back with a bang <3

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 23, 2014 at 09:12

      Charu<3<3

      Reply
  11. Rekha Vengalil says

    September 23, 2014 at 05:03

    Never tired this before but looks delicious 🙂

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 23, 2014 at 09:11

      Thanku Rekha:-) Glad you liked it

      Reply
  12. natasha says

    September 23, 2014 at 05:15

    Vidya…very nice recipe…so much to make this is also on my to make list…missed you for sure….

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 23, 2014 at 09:11

      Thanku Natasha:-) Do try I am sure you will love it:-) so sweet of you

      Reply
  13. My Kitchen Moments says

    September 23, 2014 at 09:06

    Oh my goodness! I love Paruppu Urundai kozhambu and makes me go nostalgic. My grandma makes such yummy Paruppu urundai kozhambu and i as a kid used to eat the urundai as is or with curd rice. Simply yum!!

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 23, 2014 at 09:08

      I can relate Aiswarya:-) Grandma’s recipes are always best

      Reply
  14. apsara says

    September 23, 2014 at 09:08

    I love paruppu urundai kuzhambu! Your recipe has me drooling…

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 23, 2014 at 09:10

      Thanku Apsara:-) I agree sush a comfort food

      Reply
  15. Liz says

    September 23, 2014 at 09:14

    Looks delicious and thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 23, 2014 at 09:22

      Thanks Liz:-)

      Reply
  16. sindhoooo says

    September 23, 2014 at 09:17

    Wow! This is so different! Looks tasty! Hey, happy come back 🙂 TC! Keep smiling 🙂 Happy cooking!

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 23, 2014 at 09:21

      Thanku Sindhu:-)Missed you guys

      Reply
      • sindhoooo says

        September 23, 2014 at 09:30

        Me too Vidya 🙂 Even I was away for a while…

        Reply
        • Traditionally Modern Food says

          September 23, 2014 at 22:26

          Hope everything is fine at your end Sindhu:-) tc

          Reply
          • sindhoooo says

            September 24, 2014 at 00:32

            Thank you for your concern Vidya 🙂 I am fine dear, it was that some tutorial posts require a lot of work and sometimes I get some ideas to input when everything is ready to be online… That’s crazy me 😀

          • Traditionally Modern Food says

            September 24, 2014 at 10:22

            Your stepwise tutorial is awesome:-) for the person like me its very useful Sindhu

  17. platedujour says

    September 23, 2014 at 09:24

    I admit I didn’t ask where you’ve been but I was wondering 🙂 it felt like a loooog time! And this recipe seems to be easy enough to follow, I know most of the ingredients including the lentils so I will be able to follow it!

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 23, 2014 at 22:27

      So sweet of you dear:-) thanku

      Reply
  18. marudhuskitchen says

    September 23, 2014 at 09:29

    wow its very tempting recipe…looks perfect

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 23, 2014 at 22:26

      Thanku Vani:-)

      Reply
  19. Chitra Jagadish says

    September 23, 2014 at 09:37

    This is completely new to me…We make dal dumplings and steam but in gravy never tried… looks luscious
    btwn missed you around… hope all is well… 🙂

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 23, 2014 at 22:28

      Thanks Chitra:-) do try this way.. Yes dear

      Reply
  20. Sarah 'n Spice says

    September 23, 2014 at 10:21

    These lentil balls sound wonderful!

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 23, 2014 at 22:25

      Thanku Sarah:-)

      Reply
  21. coconutcraze says

    September 23, 2014 at 11:06

    This is a terrific recipe! I guess it is a Chennai special kuzhambu! I love such elaborate curries…just for the fun of it!

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 23, 2014 at 22:24

      Thanku Sridevi:-) yes its flavorful kuzhambu

      Reply
  22. apuginthekitchen says

    September 23, 2014 at 14:21

    What a beautiful and delicious dish, so glad to see you back.

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 23, 2014 at 22:23

      Thanku Suzanne:-)

      Reply
  23. radhikasethi says

    September 23, 2014 at 14:49

    Wow! Looks good Vidya! 🙂

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 23, 2014 at 22:22

      Thanku Radhi:-)

      Reply
  24. tortadellafiglia says

    September 23, 2014 at 16:21

    this is absolutely fantastic! I’ve never eaten anything like this! I’d die to taste it!

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 23, 2014 at 22:22

      Thanku:-) glad u liked it

      Reply
  25. Loretta says

    September 23, 2014 at 17:24

    I’m not so sure I’ve had this before….is it from a certain part of India? It looks oh so yummy though 🙂

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 23, 2014 at 22:21

      Thanks Loretta:-)its commonly cooked in Tamil Nadu

      Reply
  26. Nish Kitchen says

    September 23, 2014 at 19:00

    Looks delish! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 23, 2014 at 22:20

      Thanku Nish:-)

      Reply
  27. deliciouslynell says

    September 23, 2014 at 21:10

    This looks so good! 😀

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 23, 2014 at 22:20

      Thanku:-)

      Reply
  28. swethadhaara says

    September 24, 2014 at 12:55

    my recipe notes is being filled with your delicious recipes…so tasty i will try this weekend!! Happy navaraatri!!

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 24, 2014 at 22:39

      Thanku Swathi:-) wish you the same.. Do try waiting to hear from u

      Reply
  29. Sophie33 says

    September 24, 2014 at 14:14

    The whole dish & these tasty lentil balls look so delicious. I Will make this tomorrow for dinner,…Ooh yes! Xx

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 24, 2014 at 22:37

      Glad you liked it:-) do try dear

      Reply
  30. Namrata says

    September 24, 2014 at 23:24

    I’ve never seen this… looks delicious.

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 25, 2014 at 23:20

      Thanku Namrata:-)

      Reply
  31. Swayam says

    September 25, 2014 at 00:40

    This is soooo delicious darling!! Thank u ever so so so much for an amazing share for us here at Lapetitchef.. It just made my day!! 🙂
    You give it your best, don’t you?? will have to try this instead of sambhar soon..
    Thanks once again..
    Much much love,
    to u and darling Lo..
    🙂 <3

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 25, 2014 at 23:20

      Oh ya I wanted to give Sambar as I told but I couldn’t get fresh drumstick here so changed my mind and Gabe this dish dear

      Reply
  32. Swayam says

    September 25, 2014 at 00:51

    What an amazing share Vidya!! Muuuuaaahh… Thnx soo much darling… I asked for authentic Tam, and U gave me a gem of a recipe…and tht too from Amma’s cookbook..and everyone knows how much i love those moments of nostalgic cooking 🙂 Thank u sooo much for taking out the time darling.. .U hv made a fabulous dish for all of us at Lapetitchef…
    Loads of love,
    to u and Lo…
    🙂

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 25, 2014 at 23:18

      Pleasure is mine dear:-) glad you like it.. Waiting to c my post in your page

      Reply
  33. Chhapan Bhog says

    September 25, 2014 at 05:00

    Looks so yummy.. But I doubt once those lentil balls are ready I could resist them, and how many of them would actually go into the gravy…:):D

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 25, 2014 at 23:17

      I know Shikha:-) I always do that;-) thanks dear

      Reply
  34. sarithakumbakkara says

    March 3, 2015 at 20:58

    Yummy Yummy! 🙂

    Reply
    • Traditionally Modern Food says

      March 3, 2015 at 22:49

      Thanku Saritha:-)

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Paruppu Urundai Mor Kuzhambu | Traditionally Modern Food says:
    October 31, 2019 at 20:49

    […] up Amma frequently makes Paruppu Urundai Mor Kuzhambu without onion / garlic. As I mentioned in my Paruppu Urundai Kara Kuzhambu post somehow my neighbor Aunty’s tamarind based Kuzhambu became our favorite and I had almost […]

    Reply

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