Authentic Tamil Nadu Chettinad Poondu Poondu Poondu Poondu Poondu Poondu Poondu Poondu Poondu Poondu Poondu Kuzhambu Varuval with Steamed Ponni Rice
A fiery and aromatic Chettinad specialty loaded with peeled garlic cloves simmered in a tangy tamarind gravy, then tossed into a rich, spicy dry fry. Served alongside fluffy steamed Ponni rice for a truly comforting and traditional meal.
60min
Total Time
4
Servings
Tamil Nadu Chettinad
Cuisine
Recipe
1
Extract tamarind juice and keep aside.
2
Heat sesame oil in a heavy-bottomed earthenware pot or pan over medium heat.
3
Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and fenugreek seeds, letting them splutter.
4
Add the broken dry red chilies and fresh curry leaves, sautéing for a few seconds.
5
Add the peeled garlic cloves and pearl onions, frying until golden brown and aromatic.
6
Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they turn soft and mushy, releasing oil from the sides.
7
Stir in coriander powder, red chili powder, turmeric powder, and salt, mixing well for a minute.
8
Pour in the extracted tamarind juice and crushed fennel seeds, bringing the mixture to a rolling boil.
9
Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer until the gravy thickens and the garlic absorbs all the flavors.
10
Increase the heat slightly and fry down the mixture until it reaches a rich, semi-dry varuval consistency.
11
Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot with freshly steamed Ponni rice.
Ingredients
300 grams peeled garlic cloves (poondu)
2 cups small pearl onions (sambar onions), peeled
3 large ripe tomatoes, finely chopped
A lemon-sized ball of tamarind, soaked in warm water and extracted to 1.5 cups juice
2 tablespoons Chettinad sesame oil (nallennai)
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds (methi)
2 sprigs fresh curry leaves
3 dry red chilies, broken
1 tablespoon fennel seeds, coarsely crushed
2 tablespoons coriander powder
1.5 tablespoons Kashmiri red chili powder
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
Salt to taste
Freshly chopped coriander leaves for garnish
*This AI-generated recipe may contain inaccuracies.