UrulaiKizhangu Puli Thokku | Potato Tamrind Curry | south Indian style potato with tamarind
Looking for a tangy and spicy South Indian side dish that pairs perfectly with rice or chapati? Urulaikizhangu Puli Thokku (Potato Tamarind Curry) is a traditional Tamil recipe bursting with flavors of tamarind, spices, and roasted potatoes. This version is made without garlic, making it ideal for those who prefer a sattvic or no-garlic diet. Easy to prepare and irresistibly tasty, this dish is a must-try for anyone who loves authentic Tamil cuisine.
What is Urulaikizhangu Puli Thokku?
It is a South Indian-style potato curry cooked with tamarind extract, spices, and onions. The dish is tangy, spicy, and pairs well with steamed rice or Indian breads.
What are the key ingredients?
Potatoes, tamarind extract, curry leaves, mustard seeds, red chili powder, turmeric, and sesame oil.
What makes this dish special?
The balance of tangy tamarind and spicy masala coating the roasted potatoes gives a unique flavor that is both comforting and traditional.
What can I serve it with?
It goes best with hot steamed rice, curd rice, or chapati. It can also be enjoyed as a side dish with sambar or rasam.
UrulaiKizhangu Puli Thokku | Potato Tamrind Curry
Ingredients
- Potato - 6 medium size
- Tamarind - small lemon size
- Sambar Powder - 1 tsp + 1/4 tsp Adjust according to your spice level
- Turmeric powder - 1/8 tsp
- Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp
- Cumin Powder - 1/4 tsp
- Salt - as needed
To temper:
- Mustard Seeds - 1/4 tsp
- Channa Dal - 1/2 tsp
- Oil - 2 tbsp
Instructions
- Pressure cook potatoes until tender (for 2 whistles). Let the steam release naturally, peel off the skin and cut into bite-sized pieces and keep aside
- Soak Tamrind in hot warm water (Around 1/2 cup approximately) for 10 -15 minutes and extract the juice
- Heat oil in a pan, add the items under 'to temper' and let it crackle. Add the Tamrind extract and cook till it starts bubbling up. Add coriander Powder, Cumin Powder, sambar Powder and salt; mix well and cook till it becomes a thick paste like consistency( takes around 2-3 minutes)
- Add the cooked potatoes and mix gently. Cook in low flame till tamrind paste becomes a thokku like consistency, stirring in regular intervals to prevent tamrind from sticking to the pan. Add extra oil if required
- Potato Thokku is ready. Tastes great with any rice accompaniment
Notes
2. Non-stick skillet can be used to reduce oil
3. Red chilli powder can be instead of sambhar powder
Ingredients:
Potato – 6, medium size
Tamarind – small lemon size
Sambar Powder – 1 tsp + 1/4 tsp (Adjust according to your spice level)
Turmeric powder – 1/8 tsp
Coriander powder – 1/2 tsp
Cumin Powder – 1/4 tsp
Salt – as needed
To temper:
Mustard Seeds – 1/4 tsp
Channa Dal – 1/2 tsp
Oil – 2 tbsp
How to make Potato puli thokku with step-by-step pictures:
- Pressure cook potatoes until tender (for 2 whistles). Let the steam release naturally, peel off the skin and cut into bite-sized pieces, and keep aside
- Soak Tamarind in hot, warm water (Around 1/2 cup approximately) for 10 -15 minutes and extract the juice
- Heat oil in a pan, add the items under ‘to temper’, and let it crackle. Add the tamarind extract and cook till it starts bubbling up. Add coriander powder, Cumin Powder, Sambar Powder, and salt; mix well and cook till it becomes a thick paste-like consistency( takes around 2-3 minutes)
- Add the cooked potatoes and mix gently. Cook in a low flame till the tamarind paste becomes a thokku-like consistency, stirring in regular intervals to prevent the tamarind from sticking to the pan. Add extra oil if required
- Potato Thokku is ready. Tastes great with any rice accompaniment
looks flavourful.. should try
Very different recipe dear! 🙂 Will try it out!
I am definitely going to try that .. but first i need to go and find some tamarind.. I hope the indian shops have some here now .. Else you will have to courier me 🙂 he he he he
tasty! this can be served as snack too
This looks so delicious! Sounds like an amazing visit with family and great food 🙂
Tangy yummy dish. It sounds mouthwatering good. I loved your tip of using cooked rice to polish off all the reaming spices and falvours left in the kadai this dish is cooked in. Will surely do that when I cook this dish. Thanks to your Aunty for this wonderful dish.
yum.. this is one interesting recipe from aunty. great.
Love this tangy, flavorful and delicious dish dear ! Trying this out soon
Potato curry looks awesome! Love the addition of tamarind! I bet it tastes super delicious!
Addicted to potato fry.. This one looks super tasty with the combo of tamarind..
Thanku Sowmya:-)
very flavorful!
Wow! Pottos and tamarind sounds intriguing!
looks soooo yummy!
Looks so spicy and yuuuuuumy
Potato is my fav and this one looks delicious..
Thanku All:-)
Potato Thokku looks so good and tempting
Mouthwatering yum 🙂
Thanku Bharani:-)