Poondu Kuzhambu Recipe (Garlic Kulambu)

Last Updated On: Nov 10, 2024 by Sharmilee J

Poondu Kulambu is a spicy and flavorful curry made by cooking garlic, tamarind extract, onion, tomato with tempered spices. Poondu Kulambu is an excellent choice when we run out of vegetables & perfect to have with rice, idli and dosa. Learn to make tasty Poondu Kuzhambu with step by step pictures.

I’ve tried many versions of puli kuzhambu, each one different in its own way. But finally settled down with this one which is my keeper as its our family favorite. This is a chettinad style recipe which I learnt from a cookery show in Zee tamil channel. I made few changes to suit our taste and came up with this below recipe.

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About Poondu Kuzhambu
Garlic Kuzhambu Ingredients
How to make Garlic Kuzhambu Step by Step
Expert Tips
Serving & Storage
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About Poondu Kuzhambu

‘Poondu’ in tamil means garlic and ‘Kuzhambu’ means curry so Poondu Kuzhambu translates to garlic curry. This Chettinad style Poondu Kuzhambu is a tangy spiced South Indian curry perfect to pair up with idli, dosa, rice, chapathi etc.

This South Indian curry is packed with flavors and keeps well for 2 days. It tastes best the next day with idly or dosa, pairs well with hot steamed rice too. I love it even with curd rice so delicious.

I love garlic in any form, so this kuzhambu is obviously my favorite. The spicy and tangy taste with a dash of sweetness is perfect for rice / idlies or even dosas. This keeps well for 3-4 days. I usually use this as the base for any puli kuzhambu either with bhindis or brinjals and it comes out very well.

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Garlic Kuzhambu Ingredients

Garlic – Garlic is the main ingredient here which flavors the curry. You can use small garlic variety or big ones according to your liking.
Tamarind – Tamarind forms the base for this curry along with the grind paste.
Onion, Tomato – Small onion and tomatoes are added to make this curry.
Tempering – A basic tempering is done with mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, red chilies and curry leaves.
Spice powders – Turmeric powder, red chili powder and sambar powder is added to this curry.
Spice mix – A blend paste is made by sauteing, grinding onion, tomato, pepper, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, chana dal, curry leaves etc.

How to make Garlic Kuzhambu Step by Step

1.Heat little oil and roast the ingredients in the same order given under : ‘To roast and grind’ section. Allow it to cool and grind it with little water to form a thick paste and keep aside. Soak tamarind in warm water, leave it for 10mins.Then extract tamarind water and keep aside.

2.Now heat the remaining oil in a wide kadai, add mustard seeds, let it splutter. Then add curry leaves, red chili, fenugreek seeds, hing saute for 2 minutes. Then add garlic and shallots, saute till garlic, onion turns lightly browned. Now add chopped tomato saute well till its slightly mushy and raw smell goes off. Then add the extracted tamarind water to the curry and mix well.

3.Now add the grind paste and allow it to boil till raw smell leaves. When the curry thickens add half cup water and allow it to boil for 3 minutes.

4.Add turmeric powder, chili powder, sambar powder and required salt. Mix well and simmer it. Add jaggery, allow it to boil till it becomes a thick curry. It may take around 10 minutes to thicken, depends on how thick you want the curry to be. When oil starts separating then it is done. Switch off and serve with hot steamed rice.

Expert Tips

You can omit jaggery if you don’t like sweet taste in ur curry but the show recommended to add it and we loved it as the tangy spicy taste compliments well with the sweetness.
You can also add veggies like brinjal and bhindis with garlic. Just saute the veggies like we do for garlic and onion and follow the same procedure.
The red chilies can be adjusted as per your spice level adjust chili powder accordingly.

Serving & Storage

Serve Poondu Kuzhambu with rice and any stir fried vegetables, tastes best when had fresh. Keeps well in room temperature for 5-6 hours, refrigerate it and it keeps well for 2 days in fridge.

If you have any more questions about this Poondu Kuzhambu Recipe do mail me at [email protected]. In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest ,Youtube and Twitter .

Tried this Poondu Kulambu Recipe? Do let me know how you liked it. Also tag us on Instagram @sharmispassions and hash tag it on #sharmispassions.

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