Garlic KuzhambuCook

Garlic Kuzhambu

Also known as Poondu Kuzhambu · Veg · Curries & Gravies, Kuzhambu, Sambar & Rasam

Curries & GraviesKuzhambu, Sambar & RasamVeganGluten-freeDairy-free

Total35 min
Prep15 min
Cook20 min
Serves4
Per serving211 cal
Spicemedium
Garlic Kuzhambu

Cook along

8 steps, each one filmed

A short video for every step, so your hands never have to leave the pan.

Garlic kuzhambu, or poondu kuzhambu, a Tamil Nadu tamarind gravy of garlic and shallots in gingelly oil. Medium-spicy, serves 4, 35 minutes, with video.

Low calorie

Ingredients

17 items
Cooking for4 servings
  • SaltSalt¾ tsp
  • WaterWater1 cup
  • Sunflower OilSunflower Oil1 tsp
  • CuminCumin½ tsp
  • Black PeppercornsBlack Peppercorns½ tsp
  • Fenugreek SeedsFenugreek Seeds¼ tsp
  • Curry leavesCurry leaves3 sprigs
  • TomatoTomato, Roughly Chopped1
  • Gingelly OilGingelly Oil3 tbsp
  • Mustard SeedsMustard Seeds½ tsp
  • Small Onion (Shallots)Small Onion (Shallots)½ cup
  • Turmeric PowderTurmeric Powder¼ tsp
  • Coriander PowderCoriander Powder2 tsp
  • Kashmiri Red Chilli PowderKashmiri Red Chilli Powder2 tsp
  • JaggeryJaggery1 tsp
  • GarlicGarlic45 cloves
  • TamarindTamarind1 tbsp

Contains: sesame.

Nutrition

One serving, and the whole batch of 4. Worked out from the ingredients, so treat it as a close guide.

NutrientPer servingAll 4
Energy211kcal844kcal
Protein3.6g14g
Carbohydrate20g82g
Fat14g56g
Fibre2.9g12g
Sugar5.2g21g

Cookd masalas for garlic

Method

  1. 1

    Soak the tamarind in water for 15 mins. Set aside. You can continue with the remaining steps while it is soaking.

    WaterTamarind

  2. 2

    Heat oil in a pan and add cumin, black peppercorn, fenugreek seeds, garlic and curry leaves. Cook on low heat until the garlic starts to brown lightly.

    Sunflower OilCuminBlack PeppercornsFenugreek SeedsCurry leavesGarlic

  3. 3

    Turn off the heat and allow it to cool down slightly. Then add it to a mixer jar along with tomatoes. Grind it into a paste.

    Tomato

  4. 4

    Heat gingelly oil in a pan and crackle mustard seeds. Then add small onion, curry leaves, garlic and salt. Cook for 5 minutes on medium heat, or until the onion and garlic softens.

    SaltGingelly OilMustard SeedsSmall Onion (Shallots)Curry leavesGarlic

  5. 5

    Add turmeric powder, coriander powder and Kashmiri chilli powder. Saute on low heat for 2 minutes.

    Turmeric PowderCoriander PowderKashmiri Red Chilli Powder

  6. 6

    Add the ground paste and saute for a minute.

  7. 7

    Drain and add the tamarind pulp. Cook it on low heat until the oil starts to float on top.

  8. 8

    Add jaggery and mix. Remove from the heat and serve with rice, idli or kal dosai/uthappam.

    Jaggery

Before you start

How long does Garlic Kuzhambu take?
35 minutes from start to finish. That is 15 minutes of preparation and 20 minutes of cooking.
How many people does Garlic Kuzhambu serve?
4. The ingredient quantities on this page rescale if you are cooking for a different number.
Is Garlic Kuzhambu vegetarian?
Yes. No meat, no fish and no egg.
Is Garlic Kuzhambu spicy?
It is medium: 2 on our scale of 3. Chilli scales gently when you change the servings, so doubling the recipe does not double the heat.
What do I need to make Garlic Kuzhambu?
15 cloves Garlic, 1 tbsp Tamarind, ½ cup Small Onion (Shallots), 1 Tomato, 3 tbsp Gingelly Oil, 1 tsp Sunflower Oil, and a few more listed on this page.
Do I need a pressure cooker for Garlic Kuzhambu?
No, it is cooked in an open pot.
How many calories are in Garlic Kuzhambu?
About 211 a serving. The full nutrition table is on this page, per serving and for the whole batch.

Tips from other cooks

7 notes
  • K

    Kirthana JeyachandranMarch 2025

    authentic and yummyy!!

    A cook's photo of Garlic Kuzhambu
  • K

    Kirthana JeyachandranMarch 2025

    authentic and yummyy!!

    A cook's photo of Garlic Kuzhambu
  • N

    Natheem YousufDecember 2024

    wow tasty

    A cook's photo of Garlic Kuzhambu
  • R

    Rajeshwari AravarasanNovember 2024

    Tasted good...

    A cook's photo of Garlic Kuzhambu
  • T

    THANUSSHAA SRITARANAugust 2024

    love from Malaysia

    A cook's photo of Garlic Kuzhambu
  • C

    A Cookd cookJuly 2023

    nice

    A cook's photo of Garlic Kuzhambu
  • C

    A Cookd cookFebruary 2023

    🤤

    A cook's photo of Garlic Kuzhambu

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