Kadala Varutharacha Curry - a Kerala Recipe

Blogging Marathon Week 1 Day 3
The Kadala Varutharacha curry is a Kerala delicacy that is a delicious combination with puttu, appam,idiappam or even dosa. With the Cooking with Chickpeas this was one on my list. In fact, have been wondering as to why this basic Kerala recipe of cooking the kala chana in a fried coconut gravy/sauce has still not been featured on the blog so far. So here it is.

Ingredients for Kadala Varutharacha Curry:
Kala Chana - 1 cup (approx 150 gms)
Onion - 1 big( cut into thin long slices)
Tomato - 1 medium size(finely chopped)
Coconut - 1 cup (I used 3/4 cup of dessicated coconut)
Coriander seeds - 1 tbsp
Saunf powder - 1/2 tsp
Curry Leaves - 8 to 10
Salt- to taste
Ginger - 1 tbsp (grated)
Garlic - 1 tbsp(finely chopped)
Dry red chilli - 1
Oil - 1 tbsp

Method for Kadala Varutharacha Curry:
1- Soak the kala chana for 5-6 hours. Wash and clean.
2- Take the pressure cook, add the oil. Now add in the ginger, garlic and the chopped onions. Saute till the onions are soft and translucent. Now add in the chopped tomatoes and saute till the tomatoes are soft and well cooked. Add in the pre-soaked kala chana and pressure cook for 20minutes with salt to taste and 2 1/2 cups of water.
3-In a separate pan, add in the coconut, the dry red chilli and coriander seeds and fry till the coconut turns dark brown. Make sure to fry on medium heat so that the coconut does not get burnt. Take off the gas and add the saunf powder. Let cool. Grind in the mixer with as little water as possible. (If you add too much water the coconut mixture will turn light brown in colour).
4-Add this ground coconut mixture to the cooked kala chana. Add in some fresh curry leaves and let boil for 10-15 minutes till the gravy/sauce turns a little thick in consistency. Serve hot. I served this kadala varutharacha curry with hot dosas(Indian pancake).

Tip: In case you forget to soak kala chana, chick peas or rajma well in advance, an easy way out is to soak in hot water and it will be ready to cook in an hour.

Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM#22