Thakkali Kurma is one of our favorite simple, flavorful tomato-based curries! Made with roasted spices and coconut, it fills the kitchen with the most comforting aroma. We love enjoying it hot with rice — a perfect, easy meal that’s both satisfying and full of home-style flavor.
📝 Ingredients
- Fenugreek seeds – 1 tbsp
- Poppy seeds (kasakasa)
- Roasted gram (pottukadalai) – 2 tbsp
- Garlic – 3-4 cloves
- Fresh coconut – 2 tbsp
- Oil – 2 tbsp
- Cinnamon – 1 small stick
- Cloves – 2-3
- Bay leaves – 2
- Green chili – 1, slit
- Onion – 3, roughly chopped
- Ginger-garlic paste – 1 tbsp
- Tomato – 4 slices
- Turmeric – 1/4 tsp
- Chili powder – 1 tbsp
- Coriander powder – 1 tsp
- Curry leaves – a few
- Water – 1/2 L
- Salt – to taste
- Fennel powder – 1 tsp
- Fresh coriander leaves – for garnish
🍳 Instructions
Prepare the spice paste:
1. Add fenugreek seeds (1 tbsp), kasakasa (1 tsp), roasted gram/pottukadalai (2 tbsp), and garlic cloves (3–4) to a dry pan.
2. Dry roast on medium heat for 4 minutes, stirring frequently.
3. Turn off the heat and add 2 tbsp fresh coconut to the warm pan.
4. Let it cool slightly, then grind everything into a smooth paste. Set aside.
Cook the base:
5. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pan over medium heat.
6. Add cinnamon (1 stick), cloves (2–3), bay leaves (2), green chili (1, slit), and roughly chopped onion (3).
7. Sauté for 5–6 minutes, until onions turn golden brown.
8. Add 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste and 4 tomato slices, sauté for 2 minutes.
Add spices and water:
9. Add ¼ tsp turmeric, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp coriander powder, and curry leaves.
10. Pour in ½ liter water.
11. Bring to a gentle boil and simmer for 10–12 minutes.
Combine paste and simmer:
12. Add the ground spice paste, salt to taste, and 1 tsp fennel powder.
13. Mix well and cook on medium flame for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
14. Turn off the heat and garnish with fresh coriander leaves before serving.
💡 Tips
- Roast the coconut lightly for extra flavor.
- Adjust chili powder for spiciness to your taste.
- Serve hot with steamed rice, chapati, or paratha.