Tamata Pulusu

Tamata Pulusu

Tamata Pulusu

Veg Vegan

Tomato tamarind stew — ripe tomatoes and tamarind cooked together in a thin, brothy stew with onion, green chilli, dried red chilli, a pinch of jaggery, coriander-cumin powder, turmeric, and salt, tempered with mustard seeds, cumin, and curry leaves. The tamata (tomato) provides fresh acidity while the tamarind adds a deeper, more persistent sourness; the jaggery balances both. The Telangana pulusu is thinner and more broth-like than a Andhra curry — it is made to be poured generously over rice so the rice absorbs the liquid. Considered the simplest and quickest pulusu; made when no vegetables are available or time is short. Eaten with mudda pappu and rice as the most minimal, satisfying Telangana meal possible.

Cuisines

Rayalaseema Andhra Telangana

Best for

Lunch Dinner

Build a full meal around Tamata Pulusu

Get a matched combo of sides and accents

Recipe

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Total: 40 min 2-3 servings

Ingredients

Tomato 3 medium Tomato , chopped
Onion 1 medium Onion , thinly sliced
Tamarind 2 tablespoons Tamarind , pulp
jaggery 1 tablespoon Jaggery
oil 2 tablespoons Oil
Mustard Seed 1 teaspoon Mustard Seed
Cumin 1 teaspoon Cumin , seeds
Fenugreek Seed 1 teaspoon Fenugreek Seed
red chili powder 2 teaspoons Red chili powder
turmeric powder 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder
coriander powder 1 teaspoon Coriander powder
asafoetida 1 pinch Asafoetida
Curry Leaf 1 sprig Curry Leaf
salt — Salt , to taste
water 2 cups Water
Cilantro 2 tablespoons Cilantro , chopped

Instructions

  1. 1 Chop the tomatoes and onion finely.
  2. 2 Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and fenugreek seeds.
  3. 3 Once the seeds splutter, add asafoetida and curry leaves.
  4. 4 Add the chopped onions and sauté until they turn translucent.
  5. 5 Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they are soft and mushy.
  6. 6 Mix in the turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and salt.
  7. 7 Add the tamarind pulp and jaggery, stirring well to combine.
  8. 8 Pour in the water and bring the mixture to a boil.
  9. 9 Simmer for 10-15 minutes until the pulusu thickens slightly.
  10. 10 Garnish with chopped coriander leaves before serving.

Tips

For a richer taste, you can add a small piece of ginger while sautéing the onions.