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Thenga Araicha Kuzhambu | Iru puli Kuzhambu

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Thenga Araicha Kuzhambu is a tasty South Indian rice accompaniment prepared with freshly ground coconut-based spice mixture with tamarind and curd. Kerala special Kuzhambu makes any meal extra delicious. Check out the Thenga aracha kuzhambu video and If you like the video pls SUBSCRIBE to my channel

I love coconut, it just creates magic in any recipe.Thenga Araicha Kuzhambu is a must-try recipe for all coconut lovers. When we are busy and wanted to cook a quick rice accompaniment without dal this kulambu is the answer.

The blend of tamarind, coconut with freshly ground spices does magic in the dish,  mild sourness from curd, and slight sweetness from jaggery compliment the taste.

It is iru puli(sourness )kulambu because we use both curd and tamarind for sourness.

Thenga Araicha Kuzhambu (Ground Coconut Gravy) is a recipe originally from my Aunt’s mom, which was passed on to me through my aunt and my mom.

Urad dal and coconut reminded Poricha kuzhambu and poricha kootu with dal but with coconut, curd and tamarind taste so different.

This is a great accompaniment with rice, and also tastes good with any tiffin item. Being a South Indian, rice is our main food, so preparing accompaniment for rice is such a big deal.

More than cooking, to think about what to cook is a big task. Whenever I ask Hubby to give a one-word answer always – “anything”, and that is something I hate to hear. Last week the same thing happened and I was thinking about what to cook, and I flipped some pages from my Amma’s book so that I can get some idea. Found this Thenga Aracha Kuzhambu recipe and quickly checked my fridge to see if I had the veggies to cook this. 

Do you like curd based dishes? Try out other tasty yogurt dishes 

Mambazha pulissery

Paruppu Urundai mor kuzhambu

Vendakkai mor kuzhambu

My aunt is from Kerala she tells me this Thenga Aracha Kuzhambu is a popular dish there. I am not sure whether this is an authentic recipe but it widely appreciated in our home and I started doing it my Aunt’s way. 

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

Kuzhambu varieties  with tamarind

Kuzhambu varieties without tamarind 

Thenga Aracha Kuzhambu

5 from 1 vote
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Course: Kuzhambu
Cuisine: Indian
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Author: Vidya Srinivasan

Ingredients

  • Drumstick - 1 cut into finger sized pieces
  • Mixed Vegetable - 2 cups I took brinjal, carrot, ladies finger and potato
  • Tamarind - A gooseberry size ball
  • Turmeric Powder - ¼ tsp
  • Curd - 1/2 cup
  • Salt - as needed
  • Jaggery – 1 tsp
  • For the spice paste
  • Urad Dal - 1 tbsp
  • Fenugreek seeds - 1/4 tsp
  • Rice - 1/8 tsp
  • Dried Red Chilli - 3 According to your spice level
  • Shredded Coconut - 3/4 cup
  • For Tempering
  • Coconut oil - 1 tbsp
  • Mustard Seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Fenugreek - 1/4 tsp
  • Curry Leaves - few

Instructions

  • Soak the tamarind in warm water for 10 - 15 minutes and extract the juice from it, by adding 2 cups of water
  • Dry roast the urad dal,  fenugreek seeds, rice and red chillies till it becomes golden brown. Once it comes to room temperature, add coconut and little water to make the kuzhambu masala
  • Add oil to the pan. When the oil is hot, add mustard seeds and fenugreek. Once it splutters, add curry leaves
  • After waiting curry leaves for 2-3 times add the chopped vegetables, turmeric powder and saute for 3-4 mins 
  • Pour a cup of water, cover and cook till the veggies are 3/4th cooked
  • Add tamarind extract and salt. Cook till raw tamarind smell goes and vegetables are cooked
  • Add the ground paste and cook for 3-4 minutes
  • Take the curd in a small bowl and mix well. Add the curd And simmer
  • Cook for 30 seconds and  switch off

Video

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Notes

  1. Any veggies of choice can be used for kuzhambu
  2. For quick kuzhambu add Vegetables in a separator and pressure cook for 1 whistle
  3. Adjust the tamarind according to the sourness
  4. After adding curd do not cook the kuzhambu for longer time 
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Ingredients:

Drumstick – 1, cut into finger-sized pieces

Mixed Vegetable – 2 cups (I took 1 brinjal, 1 carrot, 3 ladies finer, 1/2 chayote and 1 potato)

Tamarind – A gooseberry size ball 

Turmeric Powder – ¼ tsp

Thick Curd – 1/2 cup

Salt – as needed

Jaggery – 1 tsp

For Kuzhambu masala

Urad Dal – 1 tbsp

Fenugreek seeds – 1/4 tsp

Rice – 1/4 tsp

Dried Red Chilli – 3(According to your spice level)

Shredded Coconut – 3/4 cup

For Tempering

Coconut oil – 1 tbsp + 1/4 tsp

Mustard Seeds – 1/2 tsp

Fenugreek – 1/4 tsp

Curry Leaves – few

Method:

  • Soak the tamarind in warm water for 10 – 15 minutes and extract the juice from it, by adding 2 cups of water
  • Dry roast the urad dal,  fenugreek seeds, rice, and red chilies till it becomes golden brown. Once it comes to room temperature, add coconut and little water to make the kuzhambu masala

  • Add oil to the pan. When the oil is hot, add mustard seeds and fenugreek. Once it splutters, add curry leaves
  • After waiting curry leaves for 2-3 times add the chopped vegetables, turmeric powder and saute for 3-4 mins 

  • Pour a cup of water, cover and cook till the veggies are 3/4th cooked

  • Add tamarind extract and salt. Cook till raw tamarind smell goes and vegetables are cooked

  • Add the ground paste and water; cook for 4-5 minutes

  • Add jaggery and mix well

  • Take the curd in a small bowl and mix well. Add the curd and simmer
  • Cook for a minute in low flame

  • Add coconut oil and mix well. finally, add the tempering and switch off

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Comments

  2. Lori says

    I know, its not always easy coming up with something to cook! Looks like you found a wonderful recipe. Malar recently told me what jaggery is, so it is fun to look at your ingredients and know what they are! 🙂

    Reply

  16. apuginthekitchen says

    I think this sounds wonderful, love the coconut gravy, I just wondered what is a drumstick? I think of chicken but I don’t see any chicken in the preparation and it seems like this is vegetarian.

    Reply

  18. natasha says

    Dear Vidya…I finally cooked this recipe…we all loved it…thanks…I have also put up its picture on my blog and for the recipe linked yours…thanks…

    Reply

  19. Ramya says

    Vidya,prepared this kuzhambu, cos I grated fresh coconut today .didnt want to use the shallot version.going to serve with adai /avial for dinner.Happy Pongal to you&your family.

    Reply

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