Punjabi Kadhi Pakora
A comforting and flavorful North Indian dish, Punjabi Kadhi Pakora features sour yogurt-based curry simmered with gram flour and spices, served with fried gram flour fritters (pakoras). It's a popular homestyle dish, often enjoyed with rice or roti.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 cup Gram flour (besan)
- 1.5 cups Plain yogurt
- 4 cups Water
- 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp Ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tsp Turmeric powder
- 1 tsp Red chili powder
- 1 tsp Coriander powder
- 1 tsp Garam masala
- 1 tsp Mustard seeds
- 1 tsp Cumin seeds
- 1/2 tsp Fenugreek seeds (methi dana)
- 2 Dried red chilies
- 10-12 Curry leaves
- 1/4 tsp Asafoetida (hing)
- 4-6 tbsp Vegetable oil or ghee
- to taste Salt
- 2 tbsp Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the pakoras: In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup of gram flour, chopped onion, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric powder, red chili powder, salt, and a little water to make a thick batter. Heat oil in a pan for deep frying. Drop small spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil and fry until golden brown and crisp. Drain on paper towels.
💡 Tip: Ensure the oil is hot enough for the pakoras to puff up and become crisp. - 2
Prepare the kadhi base: In a large bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/2 cup gram flour, yogurt, and water until smooth and no lumps remain. This will be the base for the kadhi.
💡 Tip: Using a whisk ensures a smooth, lump-free kadhi base. - 3
Temper the spices (tadka): Heat 2-3 tablespoons of oil or ghee in a heavy-bottomed pot or kadai over medium heat. Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and fenugreek seeds. Let them splutter. Add dried red chilies, curry leaves, and asafoetida. Sauté for a few seconds until fragrant.
💡 Tip: Be careful not to burn the spices, especially fenugreek seeds. - 4
Add the kadhi base: Pour the gram flour-yogurt mixture into the pot with the tempering. Stir continuously to prevent lumps from forming.
💡 Tip: Constant stirring is crucial at this stage. - 5
Simmer the kadhi: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Add turmeric powder, coriander powder, red chili powder, garam masala, and salt. Simmer uncovered for at least 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the kadhi thickens and the raw smell of gram flour disappears. The consistency should be like a thin soup.
💡 Tip: Simmering allows the flavors to meld and the kadhi to thicken properly. - 6
Add pakoras: Gently add the prepared pakoras to the simmering kadhi. Cook for another 5-7 minutes, allowing the pakoras to absorb some of the kadhi.
💡 Tip: Add pakoras just before serving to prevent them from becoming too soggy. - 7
Garnish and serve: Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro. Serve hot with steamed basmati rice or roti.
💡 Tip: A drizzle of ghee on top can enhance the flavor.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a tangier kadhi, use slightly sour yogurt.
- ✓Adjust the consistency of the kadhi by adding more water if it becomes too thick.
- ✓You can add finely chopped ginger and garlic directly to the kadhi base instead of making a paste.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a pinch of sugar to balance the sourness of the yogurt.
- Some variations include adding a small amount of finely chopped tomato to the tempering.
- For a spicier version, increase the red chili powder or add green chilies to the pakora batter.