Kollu Kuzhambu

Kollu Kuzhambu

Kollu Kuzhambu

Veg Vegan

A thick, dark kuzhambu made from horse gram (kollu) — the legume boiled, pressure-cooked, and simmered in a tamarind-spice base with dried red chillies and small shallots. Horse gram is particularly prized in Kongunadu for its warming properties; kollu kuzhambu is eaten during the cold and monsoon months, often after exhausting fieldwork.

Cuisines

Chettinad Tamil Brahmin Kongunadu Madras Andhra

Best for

Lunch Dinner

Build a full meal around Kollu Kuzhambu

Get a matched combo of sides and accents

Recipe

Prep: 15 min Cook: 45 min Total: 60 min 2-3 servings

Ingredients

Horse Gram 1/2 cup Horse Gram
tamarind paste 1 tablespoon Tamarind paste
Coriander Seed 1 tablespoon Coriander Seed
Cumin 1 teaspoon Cumin , seeds
Black Peppercorn 1 teaspoon Black Peppercorn
Red Chili 2 Red Chili , dried
coconut oil 1 tablespoon Coconut oil
Mustard Seed 1 teaspoon Mustard Seed
urad dal 1 teaspoon Urad dal
asafoetida 1 pinch Asafoetida
Curry Leaf 1 sprig Curry Leaf
Onion 1 medium Onion , finely chopped
Tomato 1 medium Tomato , finely chopped
turmeric powder 1/4 teaspoon Turmeric powder
salt Salt , to taste
water 2 cups Water

Instructions

  1. 1 Dry roast the kollu (horse gram) in a pan until aromatic and set aside.
  2. 2 In the same pan, dry roast coriander seeds, cumin seeds, black peppercorns, and dried red chilies until fragrant.
  3. 3 Grind the roasted spices into a fine powder and set aside.
  4. 4 In a pressure cooker, add the roasted kollu and 2 cups of water. Cook for 3-4 whistles until soft.
  5. 5 Once cooked, drain the kollu, reserving the water, and set aside.
  6. 6 In a pan, heat coconut oil and add mustard seeds. Allow them to splutter.
  7. 7 Add urad dal, asafoetida, and curry leaves. Sauté until the dal turns golden brown.
  8. 8 Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent.
  9. 9 Add the chopped tomato and cook until it becomes soft and mushy.
  10. 10 Add the ground spice powder, turmeric powder, tamarind paste, and salt. Mix well.
  11. 11 Add the reserved kollu water and bring the mixture to a boil.
  12. 12 Simmer for 10-15 minutes until the kuzhambu thickens to the desired consistency.
  13. 13 Add the cooked kollu and mix well. Cook for another 5 minutes.
  14. 14 Serve hot with steamed rice.

Tips

For a richer flavor, add a small piece of jaggery while simmering the kuzhambu.